Sean O’Malley’s eagerness to return to the octagon quickly after his back-to-back defeats by Merab Dvalishvili led him to seek a fight with Cory Sandhagen less than two months after his last bout. His ambition to bounce back, driven by pride more than readiness, set the stage for heightened Cory Sandhagen fight anticipation among fans and analysts.
Despite taking the time needed to recover and prepare after his initial loss to Dvalishvili, O’Malley was decisively beaten in their rematch at <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/mma/ufc/”>UFC 316. Unwilling to wait, O’Malley pushed for a fight with Sandhagen at UFC 318 only seven weeks later, an aggressive timeline that reflected more his personal urge than strategic considerations.
Insights into O’Malley’s Mindset and Injury Factors
Speaking with CBS Sports ahead of the UFC Contender Series event, O’Malley acknowledged the role his ego played in this swift comeback attempt.
“You want to get back in there and get a win,”
he admitted, highlighting the emotional drive behind his decision. Despite his confidence, other stakeholders saw the timing as premature.
UFC CEO Dana White later confirmed that Dvalishvili and Sandhagen would instead meet at UFC 320, shifting the fight schedule and allowing O’Malley additional recovery time. O’Malley himself revealed he was dealing with a lingering toe injury amid his rush to return.
“It’s nice this toe could heal up and feel better, but whatever happens, happens for a reason. That’s how my mindset was. I put my name out there… I definitely wasn’t upset that it didn’t happen,”
he said.
O’Malley’s Analysis of the Upcoming Dvalishvili vs. Sandhagen Bout
Though sidelined for now, O’Malley expressed keen interest in watching the upcoming clash between Dvalishvili and Sandhagen. He shared his observations based on past encounters with Dvalishvili, stating,
“On tape, Merab looks sloppy. It looks like you can catch him. I almost did a few times. I missed a big knee, a big left hand. When you miss those shots, he’s on you. He has weird timing and is freakishly strong. He’s good at holding you down. If you get up, he’s good at mat returning. I’m curious if Cory can create scrambles and how that plays out.”
O’Malley’s Journey from Rising Star to Team Support
O’Malley first gained widespread attention with a spectacular knockout on the debut season of UFC’s Contender Series, rapidly climbing the ranks to capture the UFC bantamweight title in 2023. Rather than competing this September, he will participate in the Contender Series as a cornerman for his teammate Tommy McMillin, marking a notable shift in his UFC role.
“It’s a full circle moment,” O’Malley reflected. He shared his close bond with McMillin, a fellow Montana native, recalling early days when he would stay at McMillin’s house or host him at his own. Their shared history adds a meaningful layer to O’Malley’s return to the Contender Series in a mentoring capacity.
The Impact of O’Malley’s Decisions and What Lies Ahead
O’Malley’s honest admission about ego influencing his rushed return speaks to the challenges fighters face balancing confidence and patience. With the Dvalishvili vs. Sandhagen bout now set for UFC 320, the bantamweight division remains highly competitive, fueling Cory Sandhagen fight anticipation among fans eager to see if Sandhagen can capitalize on the chance against a tough opponent.
O’Malley aims to fight again later in the year, but for now, his focus turns to supporting teammates and watching key matchups shape the division’s future. His willingness to acknowledge lessons learned could lead to a more measured approach going forward in his career.