Patchy Combine is about to defend his Bellator MMA Bantamweight title this Friday (Might 17, 2024) in the primary occasion of Bellator, Paris. The proficient 135-pounder received the interim strap in April 2023 by defeating Raufeon Stots, then unified the titles by defeating then-champion, Sergio Pettis, at Bellator 301 seven months later (relive it right here), upping his file to 19-1 and solidifying himself as among the best within the division.
Nonetheless, he doesn’t really feel as if he’s getting the respect that he correctly deserves…a minimum of not when in comparison with present Final Preventing Championship (UFC) 135-pound title holder, Sean O’Malley.
“I’ve most finishes in bantamweight historical past, I’ve essentially the most submissions in bantamweight historical past, and I may go down as the perfect bantamweight champion in Bellator historical past. However for some purpose, I can’t get the respect that O’Malley has,” Combine informed MMA Junkie Radio.
It’s that lack of respect that Combine says drives him to be higher, even when statistically talking he’s higher than “Suga.”
“Although he’s 18-1 and fewer than me in file and finishes, it appears I can’t actually get the respect. So I believe that’s what drives me each single day is simply to get up and show that I’m as dominant as I consider I’m.”
“I’ve by no means been completed. My loss is razor shut,” Combine mentioned. “I’m one spherical faraway from being undefeated. The one man that beat me, he simply type of survived me. I’ve by no means had anybody end me. I’ve by no means actually had anybody come shut.”
Each males turned undisputed Bantamweight champions for the respective promotions across the identical time in 2023, although O’Malley already has one title protection below his belt after defeating Marlon Vera at UFC 299, and his subsequent protection may come towards Mrab Dvalishvili.
Sadly, the age-old query as to who’s the perfect in a one-on-one matchup contained in the cage won’t ever be answered until one man bolts on firm for the opposite. For now, all we will do is specualte as to what would occur if these two proficient males truly threw down.
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