Ali Abdelaziz thinks Sean O’Malley continues to be the most important combat within the bantamweight division.
O’Malley (18-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) misplaced his bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous choice in Saturday’s UFC 306 foremost occasion. It was later revealed that he tore his labrum 10 weeks out from the combat and is about to endure surgical procedure on Oct. 3.
Regardless of Dvalishvili’s reluctance, Abdelaziz expects his fighter Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) to get the subsequent title shot. If victorious, Abdelaziz desires to see Nurmagomedov combat O’Malley in his first title protection, although O’Malley can be coming off a lopsided title loss.
“I would really like Sean O’Malley to do that: Take as a lot time as he desires off, and I consider Umar will beat Merab, and after that, Umar will give him a title shot coming off a loss,” Abdelaziz advised ESPN. “I feel Sean O’Malley is among the greatest stars within the sport. This can be a enterprise about earning profits, and I feel Sean O’Malley deserves a title shot coming off a loss.
“Are you aware why? As a result of Sean O’Malley makes everybody within the division cash. Not Merab. It’s not Umar but. Umar can be, although, as a result of Umar has two billion individuals behind his again. He would be the second Khabib (Nurmagomedov). He doesn’t speak a lot. He must trash speak a bit bit extra like Khabib did, however Umar is particular.”
Abdelaziz clarified that Nurmagomedov will combat whomever the UFC provides however argued {that a} combat with O’Malley would draw the most important viewers within the division.
“Umar will combat anyone, might be Petr Yan or Figueiredo, however that is about earning profits. And Sean O’Malley – no one gave a sh*t in regards to the bantamweight division earlier than,” Abdelaziz added. “You need to give him credit score. I don’t know Sean O’Malley, we’re not associates, I don’t have pink hair, however the man introduced a whole lot of hype for the division.
“The way you don’t give this man a title shot coming from a loss? Who cares. They (UFC) gave Frankie Edgar a title shot coming off a loss, they gave Izzy (Adesanya) a title shot coming off a loss. … That is about hype, about enterprise, about earning profits. Pay attention, Figueiredo and Merab, no one offers a sh*t. Petr Yan and Merab, no one cares. Umar and Merab, individuals care. Umar and Sean O’Malley, individuals care.”
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