‘I can’t get the respect that O’Malley has’

Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Combine has a chip on his shoulder.

Combine (19-1) defends his title in a rematch in opposition to Magomed Magomedov (20-3) within the Bellator Champions Collection: Paris (Max) foremost occasion Friday at Accor Enviornment in Paris. Combine submitted Magomedov of their first battle, which befell within the Bellator bantamweight grand prix semifinal in December 2022.

Combine is assured he’s one of the best 135-pounder within the sport, however doesn’t assume he will get the credit score he deserves. The 30-year-old has completed 15 of his 19 skilled wins, and thinks Sean O’Malley will get extra reward as a result of he’s a champion within the UFC.

“I’ve most finishes in bantamweight historical past, I’ve probably the most submissions in bantamweight historical past, and I may go down as one of the best bantamweight champion in Bellator historical past. However for some purpose, I can’t get the respect that O’Malley has,” Combine advised MMA Junkie Radio.

“Though he’s 18-1 and fewer than me in report 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.”

Combine has one loss on his resume, which got here in a title battle in opposition to Juan Archuleta in September 2020. Combine thinks an undefeated report would have possible made individuals have a look at him in a greater mild.

“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 form of survived me. I’ve by no means had anybody end me. I’ve by no means actually had anybody come shut.”

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