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UFC bantamweight champ Sean O’Malley teases September fight with No. 1 ranked Merab Dvalishvili

‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley appears to be eyeing a return to the Octagon in September. Last month, O’Malley successfully defended…

‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley appears to be eyeing a return to the Octagon in September.

Last month, O’Malley successfully defended his bantamweight world title for the first time against division rival Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera in the UFC 299 headliner. Sugar’ delivered a dominant performance and scored a clean sweep against the Ecuadorian before calling out newly minuted featherweight king Ilia Topuria for a potential champion vs. champion superfight.

But first, O’Malley has a big problem to deal with in his own weight class. A problem named Merab Dvalishvili. ‘The Machine’ has won 10 straight and currently sits in the No. 1 spot in the bantamweight rankings which undoubtedly makes him the next man in line for a shot at the 135-pound crown.

Conceding to what is right, O’Malley acknowledged that Dvalishvili would be next despite being more interested in a tussle with Topuria. Now, the ‘Sugar Show’ has teased when fight fans might see the epic encounter. Taking to X, O’Malley suggested a potential date with just one word. Technically, two words merged into one word. That’s called a portmanteau.

Is Sean O’Malley targeting UFC 306 in The Sphere?

“Sugtember” O’Malley wrote, clearly teasing a return this September. If that proves to be the case, the fight will likely go down on September 14 when the promotion makes its highly anticipated debut inside The Sphere in Las Vegas for UFC 306.

O’Malley is 18-1 in his mixed martial arts career (19-0 if you asked him) and has 10 total victories inside the Octagon. Last August, he captured the bantamweight belt with a brilliant second-round knockout of ex-champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292.

Like O’Malley, Merab Dvalishvili has 10 wins under the UFC banner against just two losses. He has not lost a fight since 2018 and is fresh off an impressive showing against former two-division champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 in February.

UFC star Sean O’Malley confirms he will fight Merab Dvalishvili next: ‘I’m not ducking that little dude’

Amid speculation linking him to a featherweight title siege off the back of his one-sided victory over Marlon Vera…

Amid speculation linking him to a featherweight title siege off the back of his one-sided victory over Marlon Vera earlier this month to defend his bantamweight crown at UFC 299, Sean O’Malley insists he will face-off with the surging, Merab Dvalishvili in his next outing at 135 pounds.

O’Malley, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, lodged his first successful defense of that title earlier this month in a heated rematch against Vera, avenging his sole professional loss in a lopsided judging win atop the UFC 299 card in their Florida re-run.

And immediately noting his interest in potentially pursuing a title a division higher at 145 pounds, O’Malley urged the promotion to field him against newly-crowned gold holder, Ilia Topuria in a trip to Spain – a call which was immediately shut down by UFC brass, Dana White to boot.

Weighing up the prospect of taking on the surging Georgian grappling ace, Dvalishvili in what many have penned as the toughest stylistic matchup for O’Malley as defending champion, the Contender Series product has welcomed a bout against the number one contender.

Sean O’Malley calls for Merab Dvalishvili next

With his head coach, Tim Welch admitting that Dvalishvili is a massive problem for them and the championship reign, that has not deterred O’Malley was eyeing a fight with the Tbilisi contender next.

Sean O'Malley heckled by crowd during UFC 299 press conference labels Chito Vera a piñata in heated face off — Mandatory Credit: Chris Unger – Zuffa LLC

“Merab’s (Dvalishvili) next, Merab is f*cking next,” Sean O’Malley said on his podcast. “Your wish is granted. “A lot of people said I’m ducking him. I just really am not ducking that little dude. I like the fight for me. There’s multiple ways to win, I’m excited about the fight now, finally.”

“I was just never ducking him, I was just never excited to fight him, I don’t know,” Sean O’Malley explained. “Now, is just the right time. Just like the ‘Chito’ (Marlon Vera) rematch, the time will come – to where it’s the right time to fight certain people. Merab’s next. And, careful what you wish for, buddy.”

Most recently turning in his own dominant victory, Dvalishvili landed a one-sided decision victory against former two-division champion and Olympic gold medal winner, Henry Cejudo on the main card of UFC 298 last month in Anaheim.

Who wins in a title fight this year: Sean O’Malley or Merab Dvalishvili?

Sean O’Malley closing underdog betting line on UFC title fight against Merab Dvalishvili next

Undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley remains a distinct betting underdog to successfully defend that crown in a potential future…

Undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley remains a distinct betting underdog to successfully defend that crown in a potential future showdown with the surging number one ranked, Merab Dvalishvili – even after his impressive shutout win over Marlon Vera at UFC 299 earlier this month.

O’Malley, the current undisputed bantamweight titleholder, headlined the promotion’s return to Miami, Florida earlier this month – landing a one-sided unanimous decision win over the above-mentioned, Vera, avenging his sole professional loss in the process in the pair’s re-run – four years in the making.

As for Georgian grappling standout, Dvalishvili, the streaking contender most recently featured on the main card of UFC 288 the month prior against the returning former two-division champion, Henry Cejudo – halting any title aspirations he once had in another lopsided judging win for the Tbilisi wrestling sensation.

And in the immediate aftermath of UFC 299, Sean O’Malley remains a +105 betting underdog to beat the -125 betting favorite, Merab Dvalishvili – as odds and market changes appear to suggest the pair currently drift toward pick ‘em numbers so far.

Odds swing toward pick ’em for Sean O’Malley, Merab Dvalishvili fight

With the sweepstakes for a title charge against Sean O’Malley heating up, Tipps.gg offers players and punters all the latest odds on a host of sports including MMA – ahead of what appears to be the biggest test of the Montana’s short title reign so far.

Beginning said regin back in August of last year in Boston, O’Malley became just the second Dana White’s Contender Series product to strike gold following Jamahal Hill’s ascension, with a stunning second round TKO finish of record-setting champion, Aljamain Sterling.

Stopping the Uniondale native in a star-making performance, O’Malley has since avenged his loss to the apparently overmatched Ecuadorian, Vera – and is likely set to stand opposite Dvalishvili in the coming months in a blockbuster bantamweight championship outing.

In the midst of a stunning roughshod winning streak which includes wins over former Octagon championship trio, Cejudo, Petr Yan, and the returning, Jose Aldo – who makes his stunning comeback to the sport at UFC 301, en route to his premiere title tilt, Dvalishvili also turned in a come-from-behind win over ex-title challenger, Marlon Moraes.

Tipped to prove a massive challenge to Sean O’Malley’s reign atop the 135 pound division, the cardio-king and pace-pushing style of Dvalishvili, paired with his patented, almost relentless approach to wrestling has seen many already pick the Georgian to end the run of O’Malley’s just at it’s leaving the proverbial station.

Catapulting himself to number six in the men’s pound-for-pound rankings with his win over rival, Vera in the aftermath of UFC 299, O’Malley, who is most definitely teasing Dvalishvili with the prospect of a clash next, has also welcomed the possibility of a featherweight move and title charge of his won against the incumbent, Ilia Topuria.

Urging the promotion to book him on a jet to the new champion’s residency in Spain, O’Malley’s plans for a reign a division higher have been ultimately shot down by organizational CEO, Dana White, however – who described a potential champion x champion tilt as “crazy” earlier this month in Florida.

Who wins between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili?

Sean O’Malley switches gears, wants to fight Merab Dvalishvili after calling out Ilia Topuria at UFC 299

After calling out Ilia Topuria at UFC 299, bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is now turning his attention toward the…

After calling out Ilia Topuria at UFC 299, bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is now turning his attention toward the division’s top-ranked contender.

‘Sugar’ secured his first defense of the 135-pound crown on March 9, delivering a dominant performance against the only man to have defeated him in his mixed martial arts career thus far, Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera. O’Malley scored himself a heaping dose of redemption, outstriking his challenger 232 to 89 and running away with a win on all three scorecards.

Immediately following the contest, O’Malley called for a superfight with current featherweight titleholder Ilia Topuria. The call-out was met with immediate backlash with many pundits suggesting that Sean O’Malley was trying to dodge the No. 1 ranked Merab Dvalishvili.

Now, ‘Sugar’ has seemingly changed his tune, declaring that he wants to fight ‘The Machine’ next.

“I WANT MARAB,” O’Malley wrote on X. “2025 will be legendary.”

Merab Dvalishvili has nothing, but respect for Sean O’Malley

Riding a 10-fight win streak dating back to 2018, Merab Dvalishvili left no question regarding his status as the next man in line with his impressive victory over Henry Cejudo last month. ‘The Machine’ outworked the former two-division titleholder, earning a decision victory in the process.

“He’s very technical, his footwork and reach works,” Dvalishvili said of Sean O’Malley during a recent interview with The Schmo. “I mean he’s working and getting better and I look at him as a good challenge, he’s a dangerous opponent for me and as a fighter. I have so much respect for him but we all have to find out this is MMA, we all saw a kickboxing fight on Saturday it was just all strikes, he’s done very good against grapplers before, but let’s see how he does with me, I’m the next guy we all know.”

As for Sean O’Malley, the bantamweight champ is now 18-1 in MMA following the events of UFC 299.

Sean O’Malley eyes Las Vegas Sphere main event at UFC 306, admits Merab Dvalishvili fight ‘Makes sense’

Fresh from his standout win at UFC 299 over the weekend in Miami, undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has…

Fresh from his standout win at UFC 299 over the weekend in Miami, undisputed bantamweight champion, Sean O’Malley has sights firmly fixed on his next outing inside the Octagon – welcoming the chance to headline at the Las Vegas Sphere in September, in a sensical fight against surging contender, Merab Dvalishvili.

O’Malley, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, successfully defended his bantamweight crown at the first time of asking over the weekend in Florida, turning in a one-sided unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) win over Marlon Vera in the pair’s heated title fight rematch.

And immediately staking his claim for a featherweight title charge a division higher, Dana White’s Contender Series product, O’Malley urged the promotion to book him in a premiere event in Spain later this year against newly-crowned champion, Ilia Topuria.

However, with promotional boss, White vetoing a clash between championship duo, Topuria and O’Malley almost immediately after UFC 299, the Montana striker has now switched his focus to UFC 306 during September at the Las Vegas Sphere.

Sean O’Malley targets Merab Dvalishvili for UFC 306 return

And in terms of opponents next on his hitlist, the blistering technician claimed a title affair with roughshod running challenger, Dvalishvili made all the sense in the world currently.

“Headlining the Sphere in Vegas,” Sean O’Malley told MMA Fighting. “Let’s do it. I don’t think anybody would argue against that. I think that would be legendary. I know Conor (McGregor) has talked about potentially going on that card, potentially International Fight Week. So, out of respect for him to still be the best and biggest in the business, I’ll take wherever I can get. But yeah, I think that’d be interesting.”

And despite McGregor’s aforenoted intentions to headline the card during Mexican Independence Day weekend later this year, the above-mentioned White claimed he had no interest in putting together a much-anticipated trilogy bout between the Dubliner and two-time foe, Nate Diaz on that event.

Daniel Cormier calls for Conor McGregor to fight Nate Diaz at UFC 300 that brings in the fans — Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC

Who wins in a potential clash at UFC 306: Sean O’Malley or Merab Dvalishvili?

Official – Merab Dvalishvili set to serve as backup for UFC 299 title fight headliner, already cutting weight

Surging bantamweight challenger, Merab Dvalishvili will officially serve as the backup fighter to this weekend’s UFC 299 headliner between…

Surging bantamweight challenger, Merab Dvalishvili will officially serve as the backup fighter to this weekend’s UFC 299 headliner between Sean O’Malley, and Marlon Vera – with the divisional crown on the line atop the pay-per-view card in Miami, Florida.

Dvalishvili, the current number one ranked bantamweight contender, most recently featured on the main card of UFC 298 just last month in a title-eliminator against former two-division champion, Henry Cejudo, turning in a dominant win over the Olympic gold medalist to extend his unbeaten winning spree to a whopping 10 straight fights.

Merab Dvalishvili will serve as backup to UFC 299 main event

And staking his claim for a championship tangle against either current champion, O’Malley or incoming title challenger, Vera come the conclusion of UFC 299 this weekend in ‘The Sunshine State’ – in the eventuality that his services are required, Tbilisi native, Dvalishvili will serve as the official backup fighter to this weekend’s main event bout.

“Booked @MerabDvalishvil is headed to Miami tmrw for #UFC299 as the official title fight back up,” Merab Dvalishvili’s management firm, KOReps posted on their official X account. “Let’s make it a pink panty night! #MiamiMerab”

Backed as a surefire title challenger in the future, Dvalishvili had previously landed wins over the likes of former bantamweight champion, Petr Yan, as well as an impressive come-from-behind win over former title chaser, Marlon Moraes in standout performances – as well as a decision success against former featherweight kingpin and Hall of Fame inductee, Jose Aldo during his current winning run.

UFC 299 takes place on March 9. from the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, with an undisputed bantamweight championship fight between undisputed champion, Sean O’Malley, and Ecuadorian challenger, Marlon Vera slated to take main event honors currently.

The co-headlining slot welcomes the return of former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier in a five round clash with surging French finisher, Benoit Saint-Denis to boot – as part of a heralded main card.

Do you expect Merab Dvalishvili to fight for the title after UFC 299?