Said Nurmagomedov last competed at UFC Fight Night Fortaleza, defeating Ricardo Ramos by first round TKO.
For his third fight under the UFC banner, an idea opponent for Nurmagomedov may be undefeated bantamweight prospect Sean O’Malley.
“There is a fighter Sean O’Malley, everyone is talking about him like he’s a superstar, but I know the UFC just promotes him,” Nurmagomedov said after the event (via MMA Junkie). “His style is similar like my style and I see there is nothing special in him. I would really like to fight him in the next fight.”
O’Malley hasn’t been seen in action since UFC 222 and is currently serving a USADA issued suspension after a failed drug test.
Nurmagomedov made his UFC Bantamweight Division debut in Fortaleza after previously competing at flyweight and it is a weight class the fighter feels comfortable competing at.
“I feel more comfortable, much better in this division,” Nurmagomedov said. “I don’t go for a hard weight cut and I promise you guys in this division I’m going to show more and have more fights.”
There has been no response from O’Malley at this time, who is eligible to fight again on March 6 of this year.