Sean O'Malley's coach objects to Daniel Cormier backing Song Yadong for title shot

Petr Yan also called Song more deserving after UFC 333.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h1 min read

Sean O'Malley's coach takes umbrage with Daniel Cormier 'pushing' Song Yadong title shot https://t.co/xA6EjYonSD Via @MMAJunkie on X

What happened: Sean O'Malley's coach pushed back against Daniel Cormier campaigning for Song Yadong to receive the next bantamweight title shot. O'Malley also questioned Cormier's endorsement, pointing to his own prior win over Song.

Why it matters: The contenders' debate follows Petr Yan's five-round decision win over Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi to retain the 135-pound belt. Yan publicly backed Song as the more deserving challenger afterward, arguing O'Malley had already been given two favorable title opportunities.

By the numbers: Yan improved to 21-5-0 by going the full 25 minutes (R5, 5:00) against Dvalishvili at Etihad Arena on the UFC 333 card headlined by Alexander Volkanovski's second-round knockout of Movsar Evloev (R2, 4:54).

What to watch: The UFC's next bantamweight title booking for Yan will determine whether Song or O'Malley gets the first shot at the 135-pound champion.

Sources

@MMAjunkie 2026-10-27T19:06:31.472341+00:00

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Sean O'Malley's coach objects to Daniel Cormier backing Song Yadong for title shot

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