Ali Abdelaziz thinks Sean O’Malley remains to be the largest 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 essential 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 needs to see Nurmagomedov combat O’Malley in his first title protection, despite the fact that O’Malley could be coming off a lopsided title loss.
“I would really like Sean O’Malley to do that: Take as a lot time as he needs off, and I consider Umar will beat Merab, and after that, Umar will give him a title shot coming off a loss,” Abdelaziz informed ESPN. “I believe Sean O’Malley is without doubt one of the greatest stars within the sport. It is a enterprise about creating wealth, and I believe 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 will probably be, although, as a result of Umar has two billion folks behind his again. He would be the second Khabib (Nurmagomedov). He doesn’t discuss a lot. He must trash discuss just a little bit extra like Khabib did, however Umar is particular.”
Abdelaziz clarified that Nurmagomedov will combat whomever the UFC presents however argued {that a} combat with O’Malley would draw the largest viewers within the division.
“Umar will combat anyone, will be Petr Yan or Figueiredo, however that is about creating wealth. And Sean O’Malley – no one gave a sh*t in regards to the bantamweight division earlier than,” Abdelaziz added. “It’s important 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 numerous 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 creating wealth. Pay attention, Figueiredo and Merab, no one offers a sh*t. Petr Yan and Merab, no one cares. Umar and Merab, folks care. Umar and Sean O’Malley, folks care.”
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