"It Would Be An Interesting Fight": Sean O’Malley Wants Usman Nurmagomedov’s UFC Debut Against Ilia Topuria

Sean O’Malley pitches a ‘crazy’ showdown for Usman Nurmagomedov’s UFC debut.© NDTV Photo Library

Sean O'Malley believes Usman Nurmagomedov should make his UFC debut against Ilia Topuria. Suga thinks the recent brawl with Merab Dvalishvili has already written the storyline. Nurmagomedov, who completed his PFL contract earlier this year, is expected to sign with the UFC once his legal situation is resolved. He was sentenced to six months in prison for his role in the Abu Dhabi hotel brawl. “Does this set up a fight between Ilia Topuria and Usman Nurmagomedov? That's a crazy fight,” O'Malley said on his YouTube channel. “It would be a tough fight for both guys. It would be an interesting fight. The storyline's there.”

O'Malley backs Usman vs. Ilia as a mega fight

O'Malley sees the matchup as a bigger draw than a potential Topuria fight with Paddy Pimblett. He called both “huge, massive and insane-numbered main events" but believes the heat between Nurmagomedov and Topuria gives this one an added edge.

Topuria, a close friend of Dvalishvili, publicly called Nurmagomedov's group “cowards” after footage showed them attacking the former UFC bantamweight champion. O'Malley thinks that reaction has already planted the seed for a future fight.

“It's an insane fight for Usman to jump into the UFC pool,” he added. “It is a fight that I want to see.”

Size gap favours Nurmagomedov

O'Malley did not shy away from the physical mismatch. Topuria stands around 5-foot-6, while Nurmagomedov is roughly 6-foot-1, giving the Dagestani a significant advantage in reach.

Topuria's head coach, Javier Mendez, has also identified Nurmagomedov as the toughest possible test for the former UFC lightweight champion. Mendez believes the size and reach advantage would make the fight dangerous for Topuria.

Topuria eyes April return

Topuria is eyeing an April return after losing his lightweight title to Justin Gaethje at UFC Freedom 250 in June. A fight with Paddy Pimblett has been teased for months and remains the more likely next opponent based on UFC rankings.

The 32-year-old fighter's suggestion would require the UFC to sign Nurmagomedov first. The PFL lightweight champion is currently serving a six-month sentence in Abu Dhabi, with deportation expected after his release.

Despite the legal issues, O'Malley believes the UFC will still pursue Nurmagomedov. “I think Usman vs. Ilia makes sense. That's the fight to make,” he said.