Khabib's Coach: Sean O'Malley vs. Undefeated Dagestani is 'as Big as McGregor vs. Khabib'

Khabib Nurmagomedov's coach makes some big statements about one potential opponent for Sean O'Malley.

Javier Mendez, the renowned coach of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, envisions a showdown between bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley and his student Umar Nurmagomedov.

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"O'Malley has that X-factor and the UFC are pushing him very hard," Mendez told 'Lord Ping'. "...People like watching him. I think if they keep building him and he keeps winning, I think he could be the next big thing."

Mendez lauds O'Malley, but hopes that rising contender Nurmagomedov can land a shot at the UFC's biggest star:

"I look forward to Umar [Nurmagomedov] facing Sean O'Malley in the future. ...It would be the greatest gift Umar could have if Sean is still the champ when it's Umar's time."

That isn't all, however, as Mendez believes a showdown with O'Malley and Nurmagomedov could equal Conor McGregor vs. Khabib Nurmagomedov in terms of hype and popularity. Only this time he would expect the fighters to be more cordial:

"I think Umar and Sean could be as big as McGregor and Khabib but the only thing is Sean O'Malley has more class than McGregor, he won't bring religion, country and family into the picture.

"I don't think Sean would go that low. I think he will keep it between him and Umar and leave it at that. Let the fighters talk crap, but leave family, leave the country, leave religion out of it.”

Nurmagomedov, currently ranked No. 11 in the UFC bantamweight division, was slated to fight Cory Sandhagen earlier this year in the main event of UFC Nashville. Unfortunately, Nurmagomedov withdrew with a shoulder injury.

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The undefeated prospect made waves with a spectacular first-round knockout of Raoni Barcelos in January, but his UFC career has been marred by five cancellations in nine booked fights.

If Nurmagomedov can have a healthy recovery --- which is targeted for late 2023 --- as well as some more high-profile victories, it's entirely possible we do see a showdown with "Sugar".

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