Cory Sandhagen has no challenge with Sean O’Malley getting the subsequent UFC bantamweight title shot.
‘The Sandman’ not too long ago booked his return to the octagon for Might in Des Moines. Final struggling a unanimous resolution loss to Umar Nurmagomedov in August, the bantamweight contender will meet former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo subsequent. For his half. ‘Deus da Guerra’ is contemporary off a lopsided resolution loss to Petr Yan in November. That defeat snapped a three-fight profitable streak for the Brazilian.
Whereas a enjoyable matchup, it’s not the one Cory Sandhagen hoped to recieve. Earlier this yr, the UFC bantamweight contender launched an uncharacteristic callout video of former champion Sean O’Malley. On the time, ‘Sugar’ was contemporary off his loss to Merab Dvalishvili, and unbooked. That defeat to ‘The Machine’ famously ended the striker’s time with bantamweight gold final September.
Nonetheless, Cory Sandhagen’s callout fell on deaf ears. On the UFC Seattle post-fight press convention final month, Dana White signaled that Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili 2 is predicted for the bantamweight title subsequent. Whereas many would probably be pissed off in his place, ‘The Sandman’ has no anger. Showing on The Ariel Helwani Present earlier at the moment, Sandhagen mentioned his return and the present title image.
“I’m not going to hate on Sean for getting his rematch, however I simply wish to battle him as a result of I wish to battle a few of the greatest guys on the earth.
I don’t actually waste my time being tremendous aggravated or mad about the best way that I do know that it really works… I get the luxurious of at all times saying… pic.twitter.com/VYfUKa6Gv0
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) March 19, 2025
Cory Sandhagen reacts to Dana White’s feedback about Sean O’Malley receiving subsequent UFC title shot
Throughout the interview, Cory Sandhagen revealed that he approached UFC matchmakers about making a bout with Sean O’Malley occur, and was shortly turned down. That being stated ‘The Sandman’ isn’t going to hate on ‘Sugar’ getting a title shot subsequent. At this stage of his profession, Sandhagen isn’t going to emphasize himself out in regards to the scenario, he simply needs to battle the perfect on the earth. He’s in no rush.
“No, [a fight against Sean O’Malley was never on the table].” Cory Sandhagen acknowledged earlier at the moment. “I threw it out to them, ‘Like hey guys, I actually wish to battle Sean, may we please do this?’ They stated ‘No, it’s not going to be Sean subsequent’. Like, okay, that’s truthful, I perceive. Me and O’Malley would simply be a extremely huge battle at any time when it occur. I feel O’Malley will get a rematch [because] he’s one of many UFC’s huge stars and he’s labored actually laborious to try this.”
He continued, “…I’m not going to hate on Sean for getting his rematch, however I simply wish to battle him as a result of I wish to battle a few of the greatest guys on the earth. I don’t actually waste my time being tremendous mad or aggravated about the best way that I do know it really works… I actually simply wished to be the perfect on the earth at combating.”
What do you make of those feedback from the UFC bantamweight? Do you wish to see Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili?
