Umar Nurmagomedov To Face Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Winner, per Dana White
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According to UFC CEO Dana White, the UFC bantamweight title picture is crystal clear.
Although White was not in attendance at UFC Abu Dhabi Saturday, citing the responsibility of getting work done at UFC headquarters, he was able to catch the main event. In a highly technical fight, Umar Nurmagomedov (18-0 MMA, 6-0 UFC) won a unanimous decision against former title challenger and long-time divisional mainstay Cory Sandhagen (17-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC).
White was impressed with Nurmagomedov’s performance. So much so that the division plans to move forward with him as the next title challenger, facing the winner of Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili , which is scheduled for Sept. 14, and serves as the main event for the UFC 306 card in Las Vegas, Nev.
UFC Fight Night: Umar Nurmagomedov Remains Unbeaten in Abu Dhabi Main Event
A timetable has not been set for the fight, as MMA journalist and veteran reporter Kevin Iole first reported the news shortly after the event.
FWIW, Dana told me Umar will meet the Sean O'Malley Merab Dvalishvili winner for the bantamweight title
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) August 3, 2024
O'Malley also caught wind of the fight and has a keen interest in fighting the winner as well. O'Malley was quick to comment on Nurmagomedov's performance and said that he would be willing to fight him for the belt just to bait former UFC double-champion Conor McGregor.
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Sean O'Malley reacts to Umar Nurmagomedov's win over Cory Sandhagen
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) August 4, 2024
He says he wants to defeat Umar to make Conor McGregor jealous for beating a Dagestani
"I might just go whoop Umar just for that reason alone."
🎥 @SugaSeanMMA #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/SrGCHZkyPb
"I might just go whoop Umar just for that reason alone," O'Malley said, relaying the fact that McGregor's shortcomings against Dagastani fighters may trigger him.
O'Malley's title defense against Dvalishvili would be his second since knocking out Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 in Aug. 2023 and exacting revenge for his lone Octagon blemish, beating Marlon Vera at UFC 299 in March.
it remains to be seen how the future of 135 plays out, but it's clear that fresh matchups can finally move forward after years of being stagnant.
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