Sean O'Malley wants to return earlier instead of later after losing UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili.
The former UFC Bantamweight champion nicknamed 'Suga' is in a strange place after back-to-back title fighting losses for Dvalishvili.
Dvalishvili has deemed O'Malley by decision on UFC 306 last September, surpassed his performance in their UFC 316 Rematch with a third round entry to keep his title.
The UFC Bantamweight Division continues from O'Malley, to another striker in Cory Sandhagen, who is confronted with Dvalishhvili in the Co-Main event of UFC 320.
O'Malley says he recently asked the UFC if he could fight in another Co-Main event slot, but it didn't help.
Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC
Sean O'Malley asked UFC to Cory Sandhagen Fight
Speaking on the overogs -podcast with Mike Perry, O'Malley revealed that he asked the following title -Uitdager Sandhagen for his comeback fight on UFC 318 or possibly UFC 319 on August 16 in Chicago.
This was prior to the announcement that Sandhagen would fight against Dvalishvili for the title.
“I was actually trying to fight Cory when the co-main event fell for that Max and Dustin fight,” said O'Malley.
O'Malley could refer to UFC 319: du Persis vs. Chimaev instead because the Co-Main Event Slot was recently filled by Aaron Pico vs. Lerone Murphy, and the event is away for weeks.
“I recently threw my name,” O'Malley said he was trying to fight to fight Sandhagen before he was booked for a title fight.
“I had something like this … Three weeks, I would be Cory would be sweet, but it wasn't really logical for the UFC,” said O'Malley.
“Cory vs. Merab is the next fight to make. But yes, I vs. Cory is a very interesting fight. That is one that will certainly happen, rather than later probably …”
Sean O'Malley 'would not say no' to another immediately title shot
O'Malley was a striking matchup that Sandhagen had been insisted on for a long time.
Sandhagen has never had the chance to fight against O'Malley when he was champion, despite the beating of Chito Vera, who fought O'Malley in his first title defense on UFC 299.
'Suga' Because he is one of the biggest stars in the promotion, O'Malley received an immediate title fight on his return against Dvalishvili on UFC 316, with 0-2 in their Rematch.
O'Malley was asked what he would do if the UFC offered him Sandhagen, with a title victory on Dvalishvili on UFC 320.
“Wouldn't say no,” replied O'Malley.
“When they say, Cory defeated Merab, you fight Cory for the title … I would feel a bit strange to come two losses to fight for the title again,” O'malley admitted.
“But I'm not going to say no to the title fight, especially to Cory.”