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Sean O'Malley suffered a unanimous decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306, losing the bantamweight title in the process. 'Suga' has angled for a rematch in the time since, claiming that he believes he won three rounds. He recently shared a potential timeline for the two to share the octagon for a second time.
Speaking to Ariel Helwani on the combat sports journalist's new self-titled show, the No.1-ranked bantamweight said he is hoping for his return to take place in Miami. He was then asked when he would be healthy to compete, to which he responded:
"I'm saying March or April. I'm doing everything I can do to get back in there. My mindset, my ambition, my drive, everything is at an all-time high. I want to get back in the gym. I want to get back to work. I want to get back on the mats. I want to get back to do - I want to make that walk again and I want Merab next. I know I'm better than him. I need to right that wrong. I think Miami would just be sweet."
O'Malley continued:
"That's where I got to prove to everyone - for three and a half years, I kept saying, 'I'm better than [Marlon] 'Chito' [Vera], I'm better than 'Chito', that was bulls**t', and Miami, this year, I got to prove that. So, I would like to go back to Miami and prove that one again. Rematch Merab, that's what I want."
Check out Sean O'Malley's claim on facing Merab Dvalishvili again below (2:08:05):
O'Malley added that he is doing everything he can to recover from labrum surgery. He noted he will be ready to return whenever the promotion returns to Miami next year. It is unclear if the promotion has interest in giving 'Suga' an immediate rematch against Dvalishvili despite his claims that he won the fight.
Sean O'Malley shares why he believes he could receive title shot before Umar Nurmagomedov
While many have assumed that Umar Nurmagomedov will get the first opportunity to challenge Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title, Sean O'Malley recently said otherwise. During the aforementioned interview with Ariel Helwani, O'Malley stated:
"I haven't heard anything from the UFC, but it's like, Merab versus Umar, why has this not been announced? Why aren't they fighting in November? Why aren't they fighting in December?... Umar said he's down to take a fight that's not Merab if Merab wants to wait around so I'm here. I'll be ready... I think Merab's scared of Umar and would rather fight me. He'd probably look at me as an easier fight."
Check out Sean O'Malley's comments on Merab Dvalisvhili and Umar Nurmagomedov below:
O'Malley confirmed that the messages in which he advised Dvalishvili to push for a rematch were real.
