O'Malley calls Song a 'problem' for Dvalishvili after stunning Nurmagomedov upset

Sean O’Malley has declared Yadong Song a genuine title contender following Song’s second-round knockout of Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC Shanghai, arguing the Chinese bantamweight poses a unique threat to Merab Dvalishvili should the Georgian reclaim the belt at UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi.

Song (24-9-1) pulled off one of the division’s biggest upsets in recent memory, dropping the previously unbeaten Nurmagomedov (20-2) with a sharp uppercut in the second round of their headline bout. The finish extended Song’s winning run to two, having also beaten Deiveson Figueiredo earlier in the year.

“I want to see Song vs. Merab,” O’Malley said on Instagram. “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.”

Dvalishvili faces current champion Petr Yan at UFC 333 in a trilogy bout, with the pair locked at one win apiece heading into the decider. O’Malley’s endorsement of Song as the next challenger is notable given that he defeated Song himself by unanimous decision this past January — a loss Song has since answered with back-to-back impressive victories.

O’Malley (20-3) is also keeping a close eye on his own title ambitions. “Suga” stopped Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Freedom 250 in June and is pushing for a shot at Yan should the Russian retain the championship, having already beaten Yan previously. The former champion’s position is clear: whoever holds the belt after UFC 333 faces a crowded and dangerous division, with both O’Malley and a resurgent Song waiting in the wings.