Daniel Cormier urges Sean O’Malley to avoid fight with Merab Dvalishvili next: ‘He could present some problems’

Sean O'Malley

Former duel-weight UFC champion, Daniel Cormier has advised current #1 ranked bantamweight contender, Sean O’Malley to weigh up a potential title shot in the division next, however, urges him to avoid a fight with Georgian wrestling ace, Merab Dvalishvili first and foremost. 

Cormier, a former undisputed light heavyweight and heavyweight champion under the banner of the UFC, called time on his professional mixed martial arts career back in August 2020 – suffering a title challenge loss to three-time opponent, Stipe Miocic atop a UFC 252 pay-per-view card.

For O’Malley, the Montana native earned the number one rank in the official bantamweight pile back in October, securing a close, split decision win over former champion, Petr Yan on the main card of UFC 280. In the time since, O’Malley has insisted he has been “guaranteed” a title fight in his next Octagon appearance.

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“I’m in a tricky position,” Sean O’Malley explained. “I always knew I’d be in this position where you’re at the top of the division. It doesn’t really make sense to fight. I’m guaranteed a title shot. Obviously, ‘Aljo’ and Henry still have to be announced. I’m kind of in that position where do I be smart – like I’vd done my entire career – and just wait for those two dorks to fight or do I risk it and go fight someone else? Which wouldn’t be the intelligent thing to do, but it’s like you only get so many years to fight. I don’t really feel like sitting around too much. I’m leaning towards wairing around for ‘Aljo’ and Henry to fight and just wait for that.”

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Daniel Cormier has offered some advice to Sean O’Malley

According to Cormier, however, Sean O’Malley should wait for that title siege in his next walk, and urges him to avoid a potential problematic stylistic battle with Serra-Longo MMA grappling phenom, Dvalishvili next.

“There’s only one name that I would steer clear of if I’m Sean O’Malley, and that’s Merab Dvalishvili,” Daniel Cormier said on his YouTube channel. “Because I believe that Merab and his pressure fighting style could present some matchups problems for O’Malley. Am I saying no, he can’t win? Not at all. But I’m saying because of the wrestling, the pressure, you don’t want to be stuck in there with Merab. The dude’s a savage.” (Transcribed by Bloody Elbow

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Riding an impressive run of eight straight wins, Dvalishvili, who most recently handed former featherweight kingpin, Jose Aldo a unanimous decision defeat at UFC 278 in August, currently holds the number three rank in the official bantamweight rankings.