Could a future showdown between Sean O'Malley and Cory Sandhagen be brewing? While the two bantamweight stars haven't yet clashed in the Octagon, a potential matchup is definitely on the radar, especially after Sandhagen's recent title fight loss at UFC 320. But here's the burning question: will Sandhagen actually want to stand and trade punches with the notoriously powerful 'Suga' O'Malley?
For context, both O’Malley and Sandhagen share a few common opponents, including current champion Merab Dvalishvili, former champion Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan, and Marlon 'Chito' Vera. Before UFC 320, where Dvalishvili defended his title against Sandhagen, O’Malley himself even floated Sandhagen's name as a possible opponent for the UFC's ambitious 'White House' event rumored for June 2026. Sandhagen, known for his striking prowess, has also expressed interest in facing O'Malley, setting the stage for a potentially explosive stand-up battle.
However, after witnessing Dvalishvili's relentless pressure and striking success against Sandhagen, O'Malley's coach, Tim Welch, has cast doubt on Sandhagen's willingness to engage in a purely striking affair. And this is the part most people miss: it's not just about Sandhagen's desire, but his strategic approach after a tough fight.
Welch, speaking on his YouTube channel, acknowledges Sandhagen's well-rounded skillset, stating, "Cory is not an easy guy because he's so good at mixing it in." He notes that Sandhagen had a decent first round against Dvalishvili. But here's where it gets controversial... Welch believes the damage Sandhagen sustained from Dvalishvili's strikes will significantly influence his game plan against O'Malley. "But I do think you saw how hurt he was vs. Merab hitting him. And Merab is confident, he’s throwing those punches hard. But again, Suga f------ hits people hard, dude."
Welch emphasizes the unique power O'Malley brings to the table, highlighting his precision and knockout ability. "And he hits them on the money, lights out, hurts them to their body real hard, and then he finds a spot to put it on the money. Boom. To just KO somebody. So, I think it’ll be the first guy Cory’s fought who hits as hard as Suga."
Therefore, Welch predicts a grappling-heavy approach from Sandhagen. "Cory, he’s gonna be trying to shoot… He’s not gonna just sit there and strike with Sean. He says he is, but he’s not. He’s gonna mix in shots, try to get on top, try to do what he did vs. Chito Vera," Welch explains, suggesting Sandhagen will attempt to replicate his grappling-focused strategy from the Vera fight.
Adding fuel to the fire, Sandhagen himself, speaking after his loss to Dvalishvili on the Ariel Helwani Show, explicitly called out O'Malley. "Me and O’Malley has to happen," Sandhagen declared, echoing Welch's timeframe by adding, "That White House card would be sick to fight on against O’Malley. That would be such a gigantic fight."
So, the stage is set, the fighters are interested, and the coach is making predictions. But will Sandhagen stick to his striking roots, or will he adapt his strategy based on his recent experience? Will the allure of a potential White House fight be enough to make this clash a reality? And crucially, do you think Sandhagen can beat O'Malley on the feet, or will he need to rely on his grappling? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! What would YOU do if you were in Sandhagen's corner?
