Sean O’Malley has overturned Merab Dvalishvili’s victory at UFC 306.
That doesn’t mean a whole lot to UFC or its matchmakers; but in fantasy land, the belt has been returned to “Suga” and will be defended against No. 2-ranked title contender Umar Nurmagomedov at some point next summer.
O’Malley insists he won three of the five rounds inside Sphere in Las Vegas.
“Rewatching the fight,” O’Malley wrote on Twitter. “Round 1, I won that round 100%!! Based on damage that’s my round. Round 2 definitely lost. Took very little damage though. Round 3 was closer than Round 1 in my opinion. My round. Up 2-1 going into Round 4. Round 4 [was] Merab’s round for sure. 2-2 going into the 5th. Round 5 I won. I am the champ. God is good. 1, 3, 5 rounds I won. Defending belt against Umar in Vegas June-July. Please ESPN, UFC, repost the fight. AND STILL!”
Unfortunately for Merab, the Suga State Athletic Commission has already voted.
Losing to Dvalishvili will not keep O’Malley from scoring the next bantamweight title shot, according to this outspoken manager. That scenario, however, requires a victory from Nurmagomedov when he battles “The Machine” at some point in early 2025.
Unless this unexpected matchup comes to fruition.