Former two-division UFC champion Daniel Cormier believes Umar Nurmagomedov's latest performance might have made Sean O'Malley breathe a little easier on the bantamweight throne.
Nurmagomedov kept his unblemished professional and UFC records intact at this past weekend's UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi, where he got the better of Cory Sandhagen in his maiden main event on MMA's biggest stage.
The Dagestani utilized his relentless grappling pressure and strong striking to get the better of the ex-interim title challenger and high-ranked contender across five rounds of action inside the Etihad Arena.
The result saw Nurmagomedov rewarded with a sizable climb up the bantamweight pecking order to #2, leaving him behind only upcoming title challenger Merab Dvalishvili in the rankings. With that in mind, the Russian has staked his claim for a shot at the winner of O'Malley's next defense at the Sphere this fall.
And while Nurmagomedov and some others have suggested the champ will be keen to avoid the undefeated 28-year-old, Cormier isn't sure that's the case following his latest display...
Cormier: O'Malley Has Seen Someone 'Counter' Nurmagomedov's Skills
During the latest episode of his Good Guy / Bad Guy show alongside Chael Sonnen on ESPN MMA's YouTube channel, Cormier reflected on Nurmagomedov's sixth Octagon triumph and assessed what it could mean for O'Malley.
"DC" stated that, while unsuccessful in his pursuit of a win, Sandhagen somewhat laid out a blueprint for dealing with Nurmagomedov's ground game. That, Cormier says, could leave "Sugar" more confident in his chances against the Dagestani.
If I'm Sean O'Malley and I watched last weekend, Chael, I might feel a little better because now I finally saw someone actually counter these skills of Umar Nurmagomedov in terms of the ground fighting," Cormier said. "Now, dealing with him on the feet is a whole another issue. But if you can fight on the feet, as Sean O'Malley can, you'd think you have a chance.
Before potentially adjusting his focus to Nurmagomedov, O'Malley must stall the title hopes of Dvalishvili at UFC 306/Noche UFC at the Sphere on September 14.
And even beyond that, O'Malley has suggested the Russian isn't set in stone as his next fight just yet. The champ has also pointed to the recently victorious Deiveson Figueiredo as a potential challenger, in addition to reiterating his featherweight ambitions.
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