Bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley admits 'keeping an eye' on Khabib's cousin: 'I want that fight too'

U. Nurmagomedov fighting at UFC Vegas 87. (Photo: Instagram / @ufc)

Despite being in the week of his first title defense, star Sean O'Malley is attentive to prospects approaching the elite of the bantamweight division (up to 61,2kg). In an interview with the North American 'ESPN', the current champion of the category lightly teased the Russian Umar Nurmagomedov, Khabib's cousin, but said he is 100% interested in facing him in the future.

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“I believe Umar has the potential to become a superstar. Literally, because he has the surname Nurmagomedov. I've never seen the guy fight. I watched some highlights. He is very skilled. He trains at a good gym. His last name is Nurmagomedov. He's Russian. He has potential because of that,” O’Malley joked.

Despite the slight provocation, the bantamweight champion said he saw no problems in a possible confrontation in the future and was open to facing Umar Nurmagomedov.

“If he can become a star with this, that's the fight I want too. I don't just want the easiest fight. I want the biggest fight, and if I have two options and a guy who I think is a slightly better challenge, I'll take that one,” said the bantamweight champion.

before thinking about Umar Nurmagomedov, O'Malley needs to focus on his closest challenge: this Saturday (09), at UFC 299, the current champion will face the Ecuadorian Marlon Vera in a controversial rematch. The card will be held in Miami, Florida (USA).