I don't think the dude's ever going to fight me. If he doesn't win this fight, I think he'll retire. If he doesn't get another title shot or run or fights for a belt again, he's going to retire. The whole 'I was never offered to fight Sandhagen' thing is just not how it works with a guy like Sean O'Malley.
Depending on who is chosen next to challenge Makhachev for the belt, practically any combination among the top six in the division would make sense. In an interview with Sherdog.com shortly after his victory over Leon Edwards at UFC 322, on the same night that Makhachev took the belt from Madalena and Michael Morales defeated Sean Brady, Carlos Prates revealed that he believed the UFC would put him next against Maddalena next.
Khabib is an idol of the sport. Everyone wants to be like him, Anderson, Jon Jones, 'Poatan' - they are all great idols. When I saw him there at the PI leading a training session for his students, I took the opportunity to ask him about a takedown he does by grabbing one leg,
"I was actually with Michael Chandler like two or three days ago. I love the dude, he's f---ing hilarious, very good energy, very focused, very driven about what he is gonna get done... I've got nothing but respect for Chandler, but when it comes to this fighting s--t, I don't feel bad for nobody, really... Because if it would have been roles reversed, it would have been nothing against Chandler and he wouldn't have been feeling bad for me."
