Daniel Cormier isn’t as interested in Sean O’Malley as the surging bantamweight prospect believes he is.

Recently speaking with Cormier on his podcast, O’Malley told the former UFC light heavyweight and heavyweight titleholder how annoyed he is listening to the commentary of his fights on rewatch. O’Malley went on to claim that “deep down” he thinks Cormier simply wants to see him lose, resulting in the unsatisfactory analysis.

Unfortunately for O’Malley, his assumptions appear to be far off as Cormier took the time on his most recent podcast to make it clear how he really feels.

“It doesn’t really make me feel anything because the reality is like you said Ryan, my accomplishments are all on my own,” Cormier said on his DC & RC podcast with Ryan Clark. “I don’t care enough about Sean O’Malley to care if he wins or loses because like you said, it doesn’t really affect me. I like the kid, I think the kid’s a fantastic little fighter, I think he’s tough. But the reality is, I got eight championship belts at home. I got eight championship belts at home, Ryan Clark.

“It’s crazy when we mistake popularity for putting you on the level with someone else. The reality is I don’t care if Sean wins or if he loses. I don’t want to see a man lose. I think that he’s good for the sport. I think him winning does things for the sport. But I do believe that he uses this to serve as a bit of motivation, right? Everybody always goes; you need haters in order to propel you forward. So I think he’s trying to make me that but the reality is I don’t really care all that much because again, I have so many championships at home.”

O’Malley, 27, has been virtually flawless in his 16-fight career up to this point having defeated all comers except for Marlon “Chito” Vera in Aug. 2020. Since then, the bantamweight knockout artist and self-proclaimed “unranked champion” has rattled off three straight impressive finishes over the likes of Thomas Almeida, Kris Moutinho, and most recently, Raulian Paiva at UFC 269 in Dec. 2021.

Next week the Helena, Montana native will return to the octagon for his biggest fight yet at UFC 276 on July 2. O’Malley will be tasked with the No. 10-ranked contender in the official UFC rankings, Pedro Munhoz.

As for Cormier who will likely call the International Fight Week action inside the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, don’t expect him to be picking sides as things unfold.

“The guys that should address me in that manner are the guys that stood alongside me, that have done the things I’ve done in the game, and that will be remembered forever,” Cormier said. “Because until Sean O’Malley starts to win some championships and get all the way to the top of the game, bro, popularity fades. Legacy lasts and my legacy will stand the test of time so Sean, I don’t dislike you, I do not want to see you lose. Because frankly, I don’t really care all that much. I do think you’re good for the sport and I actually like you. I’m trying to make this work for as much as I need to when in reality I really don’t need to. I don’t care if the kid loses or wins, I really don’t.”

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

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FINAL THOUGHTS

How do you not love Gegard? Thanks for reading!

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EXIT POLL

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