Sandhagen picks O'Malley at UFC White House, warns Zahabi a tougher test than expected

Cory Sandhagen has gone on record picking Sean O'Malley to win at UFC White House on June 14, while also cautioning that O'Malley may be in for a stiffer challenge than he is anticipating against his upcoming opponent, Noad Zahabi.

Sandhagen, ranked third in the bantamweight division, carries an 18-6 record and has established himself as one of the most technically refined fighters at 135 pounds. The 34-year-old American out of Elevation Fight Team lands an impressive 4.86 significant strikes per minute and maintains a 45 percent striking accuracy, complementing his output with 1.15 takedowns per 15 minutes.

O'Malley, ranked fourth in the bantamweight division, holds a 20-3 record and has long been regarded as one of the most dangerous strikers in the sport. The 31-year-old Arizona native trains out of MMA Lab and posts a striking accuracy of 60 percent, landing 6.05 significant strikes per minute — a volume and efficiency combination that few fighters in any division can match.

Despite backing O'Malley for the victory, Sandhagen made clear he believes Zahabi will be a more complex puzzle than O'Malley is giving him credit for, suggesting the bout carries more risk than the matchup may appear on paper.

Why it matters

• Sandhagen sits one spot above O'Malley in the bantamweight rankings, giving his assessment real divisional weight
• A strong performance from O'Malley at UFC White House could have direct implications for the top of the 135-pound rankings
• Both Sandhagen and O'Malley share nearly identical physical profiles — the same height and stance — making the stylistic read from Sandhagen particularly relevant
• Zahabi entering the fight with more respect than expected from insiders could signal the bout is more competitive than early narratives suggest