Cody Garbrandt confirms potential matchup with Sean O'Malley outside UFC LAS VEGAS – Cody Garbrandt and Sean O'Malley are set to face off in a planned matchup outside the UFC, according to Garbrandt’s recent comments at a UFC 326 pre-fight news conference. The former bantamweight champions, who have long been rivals in the sport, revealed discussions are ongoing for their eventual showdown, though it will not take place in mixed martial arts. Garbrandt, who has a record of 14-7 in MMA and 9-7 in the UFC, shared that representatives from the organization RAF have reached out multiple times to arrange the fight. “They were trying to set up a match against Sean O'Malley next month,” Garbrandt told MMA Junkie and other reporters. “So have his team reach out. We're ready to go. We could unscathed on the fight this Saturday, and we go to Philadelphia and strap on the singlets and go to work.” The proposed bout will take place at RAF 8, scheduled for April 18 at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia. The event’s current headliner is a rematch between former UFC bantamweight champions Merab Dvalishvili and Henry Cejudo. If Garbrandt and O'Malley join the card, the lineup would feature four former titleholders. Garbrandt praised RAF’s efforts to elevate wrestling, noting the organization’s strong audience engagement and talent lineup. “RAF's done an amazing job,” he said. “The audience of their shows, the talent that they're bringing in, to really catapult wrestling in a great way. Their shows are awesome, if you haven't tuned in or watched. I think you guys all saw Arman (Tsarukyan) last weekend went viral. It's great. For us to stay in activity, a lot of times we can have months, years, in between fights.#cody_garbrandt #sean_o_malley #raf #liacouras_center #merab_dvalishvili
