Coach Tim Welch has acquired loads of criticism for the way he dealt with Sean O’Malley’s nook at UFC 306.
O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) misplaced his bantamweight title by unanimous resolution to Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) on this previous Saturday’s fundamental occasion at Sphere in Las Vegas. Dvalishvili’s coach, UFC Corridor of Famer Matt Serra, thinks Welch confirmed no sense of urgency together with his fighter being down large within the ultimate 5 minutes of the battle. Welch addressed the backlash and clarified what he meant when he was heard telling O’Malley “we’re nearly achieved with this” within the fifth spherical.
“It got here out the incorrect approach. I meant to say ‘we’re nearly achieved with this,’ like ‘you’re going to clip him at any time,’” Welch informed ESPN. “But in addition, I’ve recognized Sean for 12 years. I do know what’s going by his thoughts and retaining him assured. I at all times neglect these cameras are rolling on my mic and stuff. I need to preserve his head in it. It sounded approach worse than it truly was. I simply meant to say, ‘This battle is nearly over. We’re nearly achieved with this, you possibly can clip him at any level.’ But it surely got here out the incorrect approach and sounded silly.”
O’Malley is about to bear surgical procedure Oct. 3 to restore a torn labrum in his left hip, which he suffered 10 weeks previous to his battle with Dvalishvili. Welch expects a motivated O’Malley in his return and doesn’t assume they’re wanting large alternatives.
“It’s only a good time to follow what we preach on a regular basis,” Welch mentioned. “I’ve been round combating a very long time. I do know finally you’re in all probability going to lose. Should you preserve combating the most effective individuals on planet Earth in your weight class, finally you’re going to lose.
“I simply assume each battle for Sean goes to be a giant battle. The build-up goes to be large, he’s simply such a showman, and I feel it’ll be just like, like each battle Nate Diaz is in is a giant battle. Each battle Jorge Masvidal is in is a giant battle. So, I feel it’ll be related for Sean, and I feel proper now it’s actually going to mild a hearth below him.”
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