UFC Bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen recently offered tactical advice for Sean O’Malley as he prepares for a rematch against champion Merab Dvalishvili. The two Bantamweights are set to meet at UFC 316 following Dvalishvili’s title win over O’Malley last September at UFC 306.
Dvalishvili secured the belt with a unanimous decision victory in their first encounter. Since that fight, O'Malley has not competed, while Dvalishvili successfully defended his title against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311. Despite the outcome of their initial meeting, the UFC matchmakers elected to grant O’Malley an immediate rematch.
Sandhagen discussed O’Malley's approach on the MightyCast podcast. He suggested O'Malley's primary chance lies in a knockout punch but emphasized the need for improved defensive wrestling and the ability to quickly return to his feet after being taken down.
"O'Malley's ability to get up was really bad in their first fight with Merab," Sandhagen stated, noting that being taken down is likely unavoidable for O'Malley given his body type. He stressed the importance of getting up immediately rather than focusing solely on preventing the takedown. MightyCast
Sandhagen cautioned against O'Malley relying solely on striking from distance or pursuing a points victory. He believes O’Malley's strength is his power and recommended a more direct approach against Dvalishvili's relentless pressure and conditioning.
Instead of constant footwork and maintaining distance, Sandhagen advised O'Malley to establish his space and strike when Dvalishvili closes in. This strategy aims to counter Dvalishvili's high-pace attack without requiring O’Malley to constantly reset.
Beyond the title rematch, Sandhagen is preparing for his own upcoming fight. He is scheduled to face Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Des Moines this Saturday. Cory Sandhagen to copy controversial Mike Tyson pre-fight ritual ahead of UFC Des Moines
Sandhagen expressed understanding regarding the O’Malley-Dvalishvili rematch booking, acknowledging the current landscape of the Bantamweight division. He noted the lack of other clear contenders following recent results, including his own recent loss and Nurmagomedov's title fight defeat. Cory Sandhagen explains why he wasn’t upset or disappointed by Merab Dvalisvhili vs. Sean O’Malley 2
He hopes an impressive performance against Figueiredo will position him for a title shot against the winner of the UFC 316 main event. Sandhagen believes his style matches well with both fighters and that demand exists for potential matchups involving him.
Reflecting on the first O’Malley-Dvalishvili fight, Sandhagen stated that Dvalishvili controlled the contest for most of its duration. He noted O'Malley's post-fight comments about deserving the win were likely part of shaping a narrative, which is common practice in the sport.
