O'Malley On Song's Title Path After Nurmagomedov KO

Sean O'Malley believes Yadong Song earned a bantamweight title shot with his knockout win over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Shanghai.

Song flattened Nurmagomedov with a second-round uppercut in the main event, improving to 24-9-1 and handing the Dagestani grappler just his second career loss. O'Malley, who beat Song by decision in January, now thinks the Chinese fighter poses specific dangers for former champion Merab Dvalishvili.

O'Malley Pushes Song-Dvalishvili Matchup If Georgian Wins at UFC 333

Dvalishvili meets current titleholder Petr Yan in a trilogy bout at UFC 333 on Oct. 24 in Abu Dhabi. Should the Georgian reclaim the belt, O'Malley wants Song next in line. "I want to see Song vs. Merab," O'Malley wrote on Instagram, per Sherdog. "I've been saying for a couple of years now, before I even fought Merab — Song is a problem for Merab. If Merab wins the title, Song vs. Merab."

Song has won three straight since the O'Malley loss, stopping Deiveson Figueiredo before the Nurmagomedov finish. O'Malley stopped Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Freedom 250 in June and is reportedly pursuing his own title shot should Yan retain against Dvalishvili, having already beaten the Russian once.

UFC 333 is set for Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Reported via:

• Sherdog — Sean O’Malley: Yadong Song is a ‘problem’ for Merab Dvalishvili