Cory Sandhagen is likely to be coming off a loss in a UFC title struggle, however he nonetheless believes his identify must be increased than Sean O’Malley when contemplating Petr Yan’s subsequent opponent.
Yan grew to become a two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion when he turned in a stellar efficiency towards Merab Dvalishvili on the finish of 2025. “No Mercy” received the struggle by way of unanimous determination, and lots of count on a trilogy struggle as soon as Yan recovers from lumbar surgical procedure.
If a trilogy isn’t subsequent for no matter cause, O’Malley’s identify has surfaced throughout the MMA neighborhood as a possible title contender. Showing on the “ONX Sports activities Podcast,” Sandhagen took exception to O’Malley’s identify being put in entrance of his for a doable rematch with Yan (h/t MMAJunkie).
“I attempt to not be a hater and a jealous individual or no matter, however I’m like, ‘Yo, why are we not speaking about me and Yan preventing once more when me and Yan had a killer struggle?’” Sandhagen stated. “It was a Efficiency of the Evening, it was 5 rounds. We had a killer struggle. Sean bought completed by Merab, after which after that, barely beat Tune (Yadong), and I completed Tune, what I imply? I broke his orbital and lower his eye. I put Tune in surgical procedure the following time, what I imply? It’s like, give me a little bit little bit of freaking credit score, goddamnit – however I can’t let that stuff enter into my head or else I’ll simply be a jaded, jealous imply individual on a regular basis.”
Sandhagen and O’Malley have teased sharing the Octagon sooner or later, and lots of consider such a matchup is inevitable. The “Suga” present just lately claimed he plans to attend if a trilogy between Yan and Dvalishvili takes place. A title eliminator towards Sandhagen is what many followers are clamoring for in 2026.
Do you assume Cory Sandhagen vs. Sean O’Malley is the matchup to e book subsequent? Pontificate within the remark part beneath.
