Daniel Cormier advises Sean O’Malley to stay patient in his pursuit of the UFC bantamweight title.
O’Malley (16-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) became the No. 1 ranked 135 pounder when he edged out former champion Petr Yan at UFC 280. O’Malley said he was told he’d be next in line for a title shot, but it apparently won’t happen until after Henry Cejudo meets champ Aljamain Sterling in his return from retirement.
With Sterling vs. Cejudo yet to be announced, it could be a long wait for O’Malley, who wondered if he should stay active in the meantime. But Cormier said if O’Malley does decide to do that, he should avoid Merab Dvalishvili (15-4 MMA, 8-2 UFC).
“There’s only one name I would steer clear of if I’m Sean O’Malley, and that’s Merab Dvalishvili,” Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “Because I believe that Merab and his pressure fighting style could present some matchup problems for O’Malley. Am I saying no he can’t win? Not at all. But I’m saying because of the wrestling, the pressure, you don’t want to be stuck in there with Merab. The dude’s a savage.”
O’Malley said the delayed announcement of Sterling vs. Cejudo has left him frustrated, but Cormier warns him not to make any rash decisions that could jeopardize his position.
“I get being frustrated. But, Sean O’Malley, do not allow for the frustration to lead to bad decisions,” Cormier said. “I think the fight with Merab, when on the verge of a title fight, could be a bad decision. Yeah, he can win. Absolutely. I think the kid is as good as anyone. No one could have told me that this kid from the Contender Series will become this. It’s been great to see, and I don’t know when Sean will fight for the title, but I do know that when he does, it’ll be a massive moment for the UFC.”