Daniel Cormier advises Sean O’Malley to “steer clear” of one contender at bantamweight

Former UFC champion Daniel Cormier is advising Sean O’Malley to ‘steer clear’ of one contender at bantamweight.

Sean O’Malley (16-1 MMA) most recently defeated Petr Yan (16-4 MMA) this past October at UFC 280. That victory made ‘Sugar’ the No. 1 ranked 135 pounder.

While O’Malley was told he would be next in line for a title shot, he now apparently has to wait until Henry Cejudo (16-2 MMA) returns from retirement to meet Aljamain Sterling (22-3 MMA) in a yet to be official fight.

Sean O'Malley, Henry Cejudo

Announcing on his podcast earlier this month, Sterling said:

“I’m announcing that I am going to fight Henry next. We are targeting March. I will say Ali, brother, it’s done but it’s still not done until there’s ink on the paper but it’s done. But it’s still kind of not done but this is the fight that’s going to happen next.”

Whether O’Malley, 28, decides to wait it out for a title shot or whether he takes another fight in the interim, UFC commentator Daniel Cormier is telling ‘Sugar’ who he should avoid.

Daniel Cormier, speaking on his YouTube channel, had the following advice for Sean O’Malley (h/t MMAJunkie):

“There’s only one name I would steer clear of if I’m Sean O’Malley, and that’s Merab Dvalishvili. Because I believe that Merab and his pressure fighting style could present some matchup problems for O’Malley. Am I saying no he can’t win? Not at all. But I’m saying because of the wrestling, the pressure, you don’t want to be stuck in there with Merab. The dude’s a savage.”

Continuing Cormier told O’Malley to be careful in his decision making going forward:

“I get being frustrated. But, Sean O’Malley, do not allow for the frustration to lead to bad decisions. I think the fight with Merab, when on the verge of a title fight, could be a bad decision. Yeah, he can win. Absolutely. I think the kid is as good as anyone. No one could have told me that this kid from the Contender Series will become this. It’s been great to see, and I don’t know when Sean will fight for the title, but I do know that when he does, it’ll be a massive moment for the UFC.”

Do you agree with Seam Cormier that a Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili (15-4 MMA) fight could be problematic for ‘Sugar’? Who would you like to see O’Malley fight next?

Share your thoughts in the comment section PENN Nation!