Sean O’Malley is in a troublesome spot following his second-straight title defeat to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316.
The previous UFC Bantamweight Champion acquired a title shot coming off a decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 final September. Sean O’Malley returned to motion at UFC 316 seven months after a profitable surgical procedure on his torn labrum.
In higher form than he was on the Sphere, O’Malley was nonetheless unable to KO Dvalishvili because the champion mauled him on the bottom with takedowns.
Time will inform what the long run holds for O’Malley after the title battle loss. ‘Suga’ might keep within the bantamweight division and even move up to the featherweight division as UFC legend Chael Sonnen has suggested.
Ought to O’Malley keep at 135lbs, there are just a few matchups that make sense for the #1 contender.
Consider, Cory Sandhagen will likely fight Dvalishvili subsequent and O’Malley’s former rival Petr Yan is reported to fight his teammate Marcus McGhee.
- READ MORE: Sean O’Malley gets called out by a surprise former opponent after one-sided UFC 316 title loss
3. Mario Bautista
The #10-ranked Mario Bautista may not be essentially the most revered or most well-known contender at bantamweight, however there’s no denying Bautista has some critical abilities.
Bautista is at the moment using the third-longest streak in UFC bantamweight historical past with 8 wins in a row. The 16-2 fighter has wins over former world champions Jose Aldo and Patchy Mix.
Bautista, who was initially scheduled to fight Chito Vera before he withdrew, outboxed Mix at UFC 316, spoiling the highly-anticipated debut of the ultimate Bellator champion on quick discover.
A possible battle between The MMA Lab teammates O’Malley and Bautista could be a striker’s delight.
2. Henry Cejudo
If the UFC have been to match O’Malley with one other wrestler, who higher than to face him than Henry Cejudo?
The Olympic Gold Medalist in freestyle wrestling and former two-division champion has been itching to battle O’Malley for years however their paths by no means crossed.
Driving a three-fight dropping streak, Cejudo wasted no time in calling out O’Malley following his loss to Dvalishvili.
Cejudo, 38, is seeking to retire in his subsequent battle.
For Cejudo, it could be a dream battle to finish his profession on. As for O’Malley, Cejudo could be a legend on his resume.
1. Music Yadong
One of the enjoyable fights you can also make within the bantamweight division is Sean O’Malley vs. Song Yadong.
China’s Music Yadong is coming off a controversial technical decision win over Cejudo in February.
The #5 UFC Bantamweight is understood for his high-level hanging and takedown protection and holds a powerful file of 11-3-1 within the UFC.
Winner of three of his final 4 fights, the 27-year-old Music Yadong isn’t far off from a title battle and Sean O’Malley may be simply the check he wants earlier than title competition.
Music Yadong has wins over Cejudo, Marlon Moraes, Chito Vera and extra.
