It would seem former two-time bantamweight title challenger Cory Sandhagen is eager to step back into the Octagon, and he has a specific name in mind that he wants to face in his return in 2025.
Cory Sandhagen Takes to Instagram To Send Challenge To Sean O’Malley
Earlier today, Cory Sandhagen released a short video on Instagram, calling out previous 135-lb champion Sean O’Malley. Having been on the sidelines since falling short to Umar Nurmagomedov in the Middle East last August, the Colorado native has begun to shoot his shot for another high-profile pairing against one of the division’s finest.
Although “Suga” has been campaigning for a runback with Merab Dvalishvili after the latter defeated him for the title at UFC 306, Sandhagen firmly believes that O’Malley’s loss was so dominant that there is no need for a rematch. He then goes on to state how he doesn’t have a fight lined up yet.
“Let’s be real, O’Malley has no business fighting Merab for an immediate rematch,” said Cory Sandhagen. “He got beat up in the first fight and he’s going to get beat up in the second fight. No one wants to see that fight, and I’m not booked yet!”
Cory Sandhagen Ready to Battle O’Malley in 2025
Sandhagen further makes a case for a future showdown with the elite-striker from Montana, while also voicing his thoughts on his inactivity since falling short to Nurmagomedov last year. He’s even open to giving O’Malley all the preparation that he needs to make the bout come to fruition.
“I want to fight, I’m so damn bored,” Cory Sandhagen continued. I’ll even give this one as much time as he wants, like Aljamain gave him as much time as he wants. Just, UFC, make the fight the fans want to see. Which is me vs. O’Malley, make it happen soon, I’m so (expletive deleted) bored.”
Sizing up Cory Sandhagen and Sean O’Malley
In the supremely stacked bantamweight weight class, there may be no better contest to make than this one, as both men had risen up through the ranks at the same time but never crossed paths. Standing as possibly the best boxer in the division, O’Malley presents a great challenge for Cory Sandhagen.
On the flip side, Cory Sandhagen brings to the table a very well-rounded game, possessing a great degree of skill in both his kickboxing and grappling abilities. Seeing as how both top five athletes are coming off of losses, a victory would all but certainly land them a date with the incumbent Dvalishvili.