Tag: Merab Dvalishvili

What’s Next After UFC 305? Full Confirmed Noche UFC Main Card For The Sphere On September 14

UFC 305 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering. The promotion was in Perth, Australia, last week, where the RAC Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest visit Down Under. Of note were victories for UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du […]

Continue Reading What’s Next After UFC 305? Full Confirmed Noche UFC Main Card For The Sphere On September 14 at MMA News.

UFC 305 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering.

The promotion was in Perth, Australia, last week, where the RAC Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest visit Down Under. Of note were victories for UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis, former interim flyweight title challenger Kai Kara-France, and lightweight fan favorite Dan Hooker.

While the aftermath of the August 17 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the middleweight title picture to the bantamweight and women’s flyweight championship conversations.

At Noche UFC (UFC 306), an event set to celebrate Mexican Independance Day inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 14, reigning 135-pound kingpin Sean O’Malley will compete for the second time this year. After defeating Marlon Vera, “Sugar” will make his second defense of the gold in a long-awaited grudge match against top contender Merab Dvalishvili.

There will also be title stakes in the co-headliner, as flyweight queen Alexa Grasso completes her trilogy with the legendary Valentina Shevchenko. The pair previously fought to a draw at the first installment of Noche UFC last September and have since coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter.

Ortega & Lopes Among Those Setting The Stage For Title Headliners At UFC 30

Before O’Malley defends his championship and the promotion’s top female flyweights run it back again, a mix of veterans and prospects will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their positions on the major card.

That includes former two-time featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega and the up-and-coming Diego Lopes, who will give their matchup a second chance at making it to the Octagon. After a same-day withdrawal from “T-City” saw the Mexico-residing Brazilian face and defeat Dan Ige at International Fight Week instead, Lopes will have the opportunity to crack the top five in rearranged clash with Ortega.

Prior to that, highly touted Mexican prospects Daniel Zellhuber and Ronaldo Rodriguez will open the main card against Esteban Ribovics and Ode’ Osbourne, respectively, while notable names like Irena Aldana and Raul Rosas Jr. will feature on the prelims.

See below for the full UFC 306 card, as it stands.

Main Card:

  • Sean O’Malley (C) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (bantamweight championship main event)
  • Alexa Grasso (C) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (flyweight championship co-main event)
  • Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes (featherweight)
  • Daniel Zellhuber vs. Estaban Ribovics (lightweight)
  • Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Ode’ Osbourne (flyweight)

Preliminary Card:

  • Manuel Torres vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (lightweight)
  • Irena Aldana vs. Norma Dumont (women’s bantamweight)
  • Edgar Cháirez vs. Kevin Borjas (flyweight)
  • Yazmin Jauregui vs. Ketlen Souza (women’s strawweight)
  • Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng (bantamweight)
Diego Lopes
Image: UFC.com

Continue Reading What’s Next After UFC 305? Full Confirmed Noche UFC Main Card For The Sphere On September 14 at MMA News.

What’s Next After UFC 305? Full Confirmed Noche UFC Main Card For The Sphere On September 14

UFC 305 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering. The promotion was in Perth, Australia, last week, where the RAC Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest visit Down Under. Of note were victories for UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du […]

Continue Reading What’s Next After UFC 305? Full Confirmed Noche UFC Main Card For The Sphere On September 14 at MMA News.

UFC 305 is in the books, meaning attention will soon turn to the mixed martial arts leader’s next pay-per-view offering.

The promotion was in Perth, Australia, last week, where the RAC Arena played host to a number of intriguing matchups for its latest visit Down Under. Of note were victories for UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis, former interim flyweight title challenger Kai Kara-France, and lightweight fan favorite Dan Hooker.

While the aftermath of the August 17 card is currently the talk of the town, it won’t be long until focus sways to the next PPV, and from the middleweight title picture to the bantamweight and women’s flyweight championship conversations.

At Noche UFC (UFC 306), an event set to celebrate Mexican Independance Day inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 14, reigning 135-pound kingpin Sean O’Malley will compete for the second time this year. After defeating Marlon Vera, “Sugar” will make his second defense of the gold in a long-awaited grudge match against top contender Merab Dvalishvili.

There will also be title stakes in the co-headliner, as flyweight queen Alexa Grasso completes her trilogy with the legendary Valentina Shevchenko. The pair previously fought to a draw at the first installment of Noche UFC last September and have since coached opposite one another on The Ultimate Fighter.

Ortega & Lopes Among Those Setting The Stage For Title Headliners At UFC 30

Before O’Malley defends his championship and the promotion’s top female flyweights run it back again, a mix of veterans and prospects will take to the Octagon looking to make the most of their positions on the major card.

That includes former two-time featherweight title challenger Brian Ortega and the up-and-coming Diego Lopes, who will give their matchup a second chance at making it to the Octagon. After a same-day withdrawal from “T-City” saw the Mexico-residing Brazilian face and defeat Dan Ige at International Fight Week instead, Lopes will have the opportunity to crack the top five in rearranged clash with Ortega.

Prior to that, highly touted Mexican prospects Daniel Zellhuber and Ronaldo Rodriguez will open the main card against Esteban Ribovics and Ode’ Osbourne, respectively, while notable names like Irena Aldana and Raul Rosas Jr. will feature on the prelims.

See below for the full UFC 306 card, as it stands.

Main Card:

  • Sean O’Malley (C) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (bantamweight championship main event)
  • Alexa Grasso (C) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (flyweight championship co-main event)
  • Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes (featherweight)
  • Daniel Zellhuber vs. Estaban Ribovics (lightweight)
  • Ronaldo Rodriguez vs. Ode’ Osbourne (flyweight)

Preliminary Card:

  • Manuel Torres vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (lightweight)
  • Irena Aldana vs. Norma Dumont (women’s bantamweight)
  • Edgar Cháirez vs. Kevin Borjas (flyweight)
  • Yazmin Jauregui vs. Ketlen Souza (women’s strawweight)
  • Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Aoriqileng (bantamweight)
Diego Lopes
Image: UFC.com

Continue Reading What’s Next After UFC 305? Full Confirmed Noche UFC Main Card For The Sphere On September 14 at MMA News.

Video – Merab Dvalishvili charges heckler in audience at CGI event

Video - Merab Dvalishvili charges heckler in audience at CGI eventWhilst preparations are at full tilt ahead of his return at Noche UFC next month – bantamweight star, Merab…

Video - Merab Dvalishvili charges heckler in audience at CGI event

Whilst preparations are at full tilt ahead of his return at Noche UFC next month – bantamweight star, Merab Dvalishvili could not help himself but engage with a particular fan and charge him in the audience during yesterday’s Craig Jones Invitational event in Las Vegas. 

Dvalishvili, the current number one ranked bantamweight challenger, is slated to return to action in the main event of Noche UFC next month – taking on undisputed champion, Sean O’Malley in the pair’s heated grudge match at the Las Vegas Sphere.

Merab Dvalishvili calls out Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch: 'He's a snake person'

And in the midst of a stunning 10-fight winning spree since he snapped a two-fight losing run, Georgian contender, Dvalishvili most recently earned an impressive decision success against former two-weight champion, Henry Cejudo in the pair’s title-eliminator back in February at UFC 298. 

Merab Dvalishvili chases heckler at CGI event

Attending last night’s CGI event in ‘Sin City’ – Dvalishvili, who infamously climbed the railings and scaled the stands in pursuit of a trash-talking fan at a UFC event, took the same approach with a heckler of his overnight – grabbing him by the hat before he was corralled by security officials.

Set to sport special edition Noche UFC fight kits for his title fight against surging Montana native, O’Malley next month at UFC 306 – the Tbilisi native was engaged in a particular rivalry with the champion’s head coach, Tim Welch – whom he labelled a “snake”.

Merab Dvalishvili set to serve as backup to UFC 299 title fight main event already cutting weight
Mandatory Credit: Media News Group – Los Angles Daily News

“I have a problem with his (Sean O’Malley’s) coach, Tim (Welch),” Merab Dvalishvili said. “He was very disrespectful to me and he was doing stupid and not respectful things. Any real coach should never do that, whatever he was doing. Try do the same thing in basketball or let’s try to do the same thing in a football game. They will give you a disqualification.”

Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Sphere

“Only in the UFC can you get out of this,” Merab Dvalishvili explained. “Coach your guy, coach your fighter. Don’t be disrespectful to the opponent. What kind of people does this? Only a snake person does this.”

UFC 306 Best Bets: Betting Preview for The Sphere

UFC 306 PicksThese are the UFC 306 best bets, a betting preview for the upcoming UFC event hosted at The Sphere…

UFC 306 Picks

These are the UFC 306 best bets, a betting preview for the upcoming UFC event hosted at The Sphere in Las Vegas. Headlining this fight card will be Sean O’Malley looking to defend his bantamweight title against the dangerous wrestler Merab Dvalishvili, and Alexa Grasso will face Valentina Shevchenko once again.

UFC 306 Best Bets

Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds for UFC 306, looking for solid favorites and live underdogs. These are the best UFC 306 picks.

Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili

The main event will see “Suga” Sean O’Malley in his second title defense against the relentless wrestler Georgia’s Dvalishvili. O’Malley captured the title with an impressive knockout over the training partner of Dvalishvili then-champion Aljamain Sterling. Next, he defended his title, avenging a prior loss, in a dominant performance against Marlon “Chito” Vera.

“The Machine” is a fitting nickname for the Georgian-born wrestler Merab Dvalishvili. He is an aggressive wrestler who constantly pushes his opponents with takedowns and does not slow down over five rounds. With his wrestling acumen, he has cut through the stacked bantamweight division with impressive wins over Olympic wrestler Henry Cejudo, Muay Thai strikers Petr Yan & Jose Aldo, and a win over contender Marlon Moraes, among others.

It’s easy to see why Merab Dvalishvili is the betting favorite going into this fight. Against Russia’s Yan, over five rounds, Dvalishvili attempted a whopping 49 takedowns with nearly 150 significant strikes landed, attempting an incredible 400 total strikes. In his three-round fight against Olympic Gold Medal Wrestler, and former UFC champion, Henry Cejudo “The Machine” out-wrestled his opponent and had more control time plus out-landed his opponents by a factor greater than two.

Despite being the champion Sean O’Malley will be an underdog going into this match. The ruthless wrestling of the Georgian will likely be too much for the US-born fighter. “Suga” has not had to face many wrestlers in his UFC career. Typically, to avoid takedowns, O’Malley keeps his distance and looks to land punches from range. He is a sniper he packs power over all five rounds. While Dvalishvili is a safe pick, O’Malley is a live underdog.

Alexa Grasso vs Valentina Shevchenko

The co-main event of UFC 306 will see Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko face off against each other for a third time. The two just coached TUF against one another. “Bullet” Shevchenko was the long-reigning division queen having defended her title in an impressive seven bouts.

In their first meeting, Mexico’s Grasso was able to capture the division title by countering Shevchenko’s spinning backkick with a takedown and submitting her. In their second meeting, the two athletes fought to a split draw so Grasso retained the title, during a Mexican Independence Day celebration.

Given how close and well-matched these two are, the betting odds are even going into this matchup. It is too close to call for a winner and the odds are not leaning any which way. It makes it too hard to pick. Grasso has a mixed style of boxing and grappling while Shevchenko is primarily a Muay Thai striker.

Alexa Grasso faces off with Valentina Shevchenko ahead of The Ultimate Fighter 32 this summer

Raul Rosas Jr. vs Aori Qileng

At just the age of 19, Raul Rosas Jr. has put together an impressive 4-1 record thus far in the UFC. He is a hot prospect who has been booked against “The Mongolian Murderer” Aori Qileng who is 3-3 1 NC in the UFC. Overall in MMA, Qileng is a veteran with a 25-11 record.

Raul Rosas Jr. is still a developing fighter with sharp skills who is improving in between fights. Going into his UFC 306 matchup, Rosas Jr. is a betting favorite, and for good reason. The young athlete will likely earn a win and is a fairly safe bet.

Ignacio Bahamondes vs Manuel Torres

Ignacio Bahamondes vs Manuel Torres is one of the more interesting fights on UFC 306 once we look at the odds. “La Jaula” Bahamondes is a dangerous striker with some impressive head-kick knockout wins. “El Loco” Manuel Torres is on a six-fight win streak winning all of his fights by first-round stoppage, by KO/TKO, or submission.

UFC Vegas 34

Torres is a dangerous fighter who is in a rush to finish his opponents, nearly all of his wins have come by way of submission to KO/TKO. He will pose problems on the feet for Bahamondes, who is the more popular fighter. Bahamondes is the favorite going in but Torres might be a good pick if you’re looking for a live underdog.

UFC 306 is booked for September 14 live from Las Vegas.

Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili Sphere

Merab Dvalishvili calls out Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch: ‘He’s a snake person’

Merab Dvalishvili calls out Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch: 'He's a snake person'Rekindling his rivalry with incoming foe, Sean O’Malley as well as his head coach, Tim Welch, surging bantamweight contender,…

Merab Dvalishvili calls out Sean O’Malley’s coach Tim Welch: 'He's a snake person'

Rekindling his rivalry with incoming foe, Sean O’Malley as well as his head coach, Tim Welch, surging bantamweight contender, Merab Dvalishvili has hit out at the trainer – branding him a “snake” ahead of his return next month.

Dvalishvili, the current number one ranked bantamweight contender, is slated to return to action next month in the main event of Noche UFC, challenging O’Malley for the undisputed divisional crown at the Las Vegas Sphere. 

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In the midst of an impressive winning spree, Tbilisi native, Dvalishvili turned in a dominant unanimous decision win over former two-weight champion, Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 back in February in Anaheim, earning a well-overdue first title fight inside the Octagon.

Merab Dvalishvili Killed Myself Lost Petr Yan UFC
Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy – USA TODAY Sports

However, ahead of the pairing, Dvalishvili and O’Malley clashed over the incumbent’s head coach, Welch – with the champion urging the challenger to take his issues with the trainer up with him rather than himself ahead of Noche UFC.

Merab Dvalishvili continues his spat with head coach, Tim Welch

And reigniting their rivalry ahead of the matchup, Dvalishvili called Welch a “snake” of a person – setting the stage for another spat between the two.

Sean O'Malley wins ESPY award Best UFC Fighter of 2024 beats Alex Pereira and Islam Makhachev

“I have a problem with his (Sean O’Malley’s) coach, Tim (Welch),” Merab Dvalishvili told MMA Fighting. “He was very disrespectful to me and he was doing stupid and not respectful things. Any real coach should never do that, whatever he was doing. Try do the same thing in basketball or let’s try to do the same thing in a football game. They will give you a disqualification.”

“Only in the UFC can you get out of this,” Merab Dvalishvili explained. “Coach your guy, coach your fighter. Don’t be disrespectful to the opponent. What kind of people does this? Only a snake person does this.”

Who do you think wins at Noche UFC: Sean O’Malley or Merab Dvalishvili?

Umar Nurmagomedov shuts down Merab Dvalishvili: ‘Stop crying’

Umar Nurmagomedov Shuts Down Merab Dvalishvili: 'Stop Crying'Amid their ongoing rivalry, unbeaten bantamweight contender, Umar Nurmagomedov has hit out at incoming title challenger, Merab Dvalishvili after…

Umar Nurmagomedov Shuts Down Merab Dvalishvili: 'Stop Crying'

Amid their ongoing rivalry, unbeaten bantamweight contender, Umar Nurmagomedov has hit out at incoming title challenger, Merab Dvalishvili after the Georgian accused him of somewhat “cheating” his way to title contention after his UFC Abu Dhabi victory.

Nurmagomedov, who managed to scoop the number two rank in the division over the course of last weekend, turned in a dominant unanimous decision win over former interim title challenger, Cory Sandhagen in his return to action, improving to 18-0 as a professional to boot.

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As for Dvalishvili, the Tbilisi native is scheduled to finally challenge for gold next month in the main event of Noche UFC at the Las Vegas Sphere, taking on the incumbent bantamweight best, Sean O’Malley.

Sidelined since he featured at UFC 298 back in February, Dvalishvili turned in a one-sided unanimous decision win over Henry Cejudo to earn his title pairing with Montana striker, O’Malley.

umar ufc

And reacting to Umar Nurmagomedov’s win over Sandhagen, Dvalishvili claimed the Russian’s connection with his cousin, Khabib Nurmagomedov saw him “cheat” his way to a title charge.

Umar (Nurmagomedov), let’s see,” Merab Dvalishvili said. “He has a big test now. I know the UFC [are] pushing him. He don’t deserve the push like this. He’s a good fighter, but he beat nobody and he’s ranked number ten. Now, he’s fighting number two. He has a push because we all know why. He’s Khabib’s cousin. He’s a good fighter. I have all the respect [for] him.”

“It leaves me heartbroken when you see sometimes when you working hard I wasn’t sure if I was getting a title fight until two weeks ago,” Merab Dvalishvili explained. “He’s a good fighter, but we will see. I’m not excited for this fight because I know he got here easy. He’s a good fighter but he got pushed. It’s like cheating a little bit to get here. I have 12 fights in the UFC, O beat like seven or eight ranked fighters Umar don’t fight any ranked fighters yet.”

Umar Nurmagomedov issues warning to Merab Dvalishvili

And replying to Dvalishvili, unbeaten star, Umar Nurmagomedov urged the Georgian to just “stop crying” and accept his rise through challengers.

Merab Dvalishvili set to serve as backup to UFC 299 title fight main event already cutting weight
Mandatory Credit: Media News Group – Los Angles Daily News

“(Petr) Yan fought for title after six wins,” Umar Nurmagomedov posted on his official X account. “(Sean) O’Malley after four wins. Merab could fight for title with (Aljamain Sterling) last year. You have to stop crying. You’re just scared that I will take everything from you.”