Daniel Cormier Admits He Forgot Sean O’Malley’s Win Over Song Yadong At UFC 333

Daniel Cormier explains why he pushed Song Yadong over Sean O’Malley.© NDTV Photo Library

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has admitted a mistake after overlooking Sean O'Malley. He was discussing Petr Yan's next bantamweight challenger at UFC 333. During his post-fight interview with Yan, Cormier pointed to Song Yadong in the crowd as a potential opponent. But O'Malley had already beaten Song earlier this year. Yan retained the bantamweight title by beating Merab Dvalishvili in their trilogy fight. The bout took place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Saturday. All three judges scored the contest 48-47 for Yan, who came back after losing the first two rounds.

DC explains why Song Yadong came up during O'Malley's interview

Daniel Cormier later told Sean O'Malley that he had simply forgotten the American's win over Song at UFC 324 in January. “Like I said, Song Yadong is in the building. You have beat Song Yadong, and honestly, in that moment, I actually forgot that you beat Song Yadong. You got a victory over Song Yadong,” he said.

Cormier explained that the broadcast truck had told him the production was about to show Song in the arena. That prompted him to name Song during the interview. He said that was the only reason Song came up at that moment.

Song had been cage-sideways after knocking out Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Shanghai in August. Yan had also beaten Song by unanimous decision at UFC 299 in March 2024, giving both fighters recent history with the champion.

O'Malley's coach, Tim Welch, criticised Cormier's push for Song and argued that O'Malley should be ahead in the queue. Welch noted that O'Malley had beaten Song in January, while Yan had done so in 2024.

O'Malley wants Yan's title as rematch talk heats up

Sean O'Malley returned to winning ways at UFC 324, edging Song by unanimous decision, 29-28 across all three cards. 

He immediately called for a rematch with Yan, saying, "Petr Yan has something I want," he added, “You want that rematch. I want it too. Much respect to but that's what I want next.” 

O'Malley holds a split-decision win over Yan from their non-title bout in 2022. Yan, however, reclaimed the bantamweight title from Dvalishvili in 2025 and has now defended it twice.

Daniel Cormier acknowledged that O'Malley had also earned a win after the White House event and that commentary had previously suggested he deserved a title shot. Still, UFC matchmakers will make the final decision on Yan's next opponent.