American UFC fighter Cory Sandhagen answered a question about why he challenged Merab Dvalishvili to a fight after his win over Marlon Vera and not Sean O'Malley.
Sandhagen faced Vera in the Octagon in March 2023 at UFC on ESPN 43. This fight lasted the entire distance and ended in Cory's favor by split decision. He has 16 wins and four losses under his belt.
O'Malley is a good fighter but he's not as tough of a challenge as Merab. Am I gonna call out a guy that I know is not that tough of a challenge because everyone makes him out to be a very famous, popular guy? I don't really care about the fame and popularity too much. I'm gonna operate on the value system that I have which is, ask for the toughest challenge and that's Merab.
Cory Sandhagen
Dvalishvili last fought against Petr Yan in March of this year at UFC Fight Night 221. In this fight Merab won by unanimous decision of the judges. He has 15 wins and four losses.
O'Malley last competed against the same Yan in October 2022, at UFC Fight Night 280. That fight lasted the whole distance and ended in Sean's favor by split decision. He has 16 wins and one loss on his record.