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‘That Was A Fluke Too’ – Former UFC Champ Questions O’Malley’s Win Over Sterling After UFC 306

Merab Dvalishvili proved in the main event of UFC 306 that he had the counter to Sean O’Malley’s style. The new bantamweight champion was able to close the distance on “Suga” and implement his grappling and despite several close scorecards, the challenger was seemingly in control of the fight for the vast majority of the […]

Continue Reading ‘That Was A Fluke Too’ – Former UFC Champ Questions O’Malley’s Win Over Sterling After UFC 306 at MMA News.

Merab Dvalishvili proved in the main event of UFC 306 that he had the counter to Sean O’Malley’s style.

The new bantamweight champion was able to close the distance on “Suga” and implement his grappling and despite several close scorecards, the challenger was seemingly in control of the fight for the vast majority of the duration.

O’Malley did have some success with his striking, especially in the final moments of the fight but he wasn’t able to catch Dvalishvili in the same way that he was able to his teammate, Aljamain Sterling.

The “Funkmaster” has openly admitted that he made some crucial mistakes in that fight back at UFC 292 that as we saw this past weekend, could have been very different if Sterling had more effectively closed the gap on his opponent.

Henry Cejudo Reviews Sean O’Malley’s Performance At UFC 306

On a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, former bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo weighed in with his thoughts on the fight.

“Triple C” took this opportunity to gloat about how he correctly predicted how the main event would play out based on what he has seen from both men.

Having faced both Sterling and Dvalishvili in the past, Cejudo felt that the challenger would be too much for O’Malley over five rounds.

He also believes that O’Malley’s title back at UFC 292 was a “fluke” after he was able to stop Sterling without really having his grappling game put to the test.

Cejudo made reference to how he was able to put up a better fight against Dvalishvili at UFC 298, where he lost via unanimous decision.

“What can I say? I predicted these things. Sean is not accustomed to going five rounds and he is no accustomed to people on his legs and I just felt like, I still go back and say hey, that fight with Aljamain Sterling, that was a fluke too. Aljamain was still in that fight and people thought I was just hating. It’s like no, I’ve been in there with Merab, I did a whole lot better than Sean did when I fought Merab. I mean I took down Merab, like Merab is lucky that I had that groin injury.”

Continue Reading ‘That Was A Fluke Too’ – Former UFC Champ Questions O’Malley’s Win Over Sterling After UFC 306 at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley’s Coach Reveals What He Said To Enrage Merab Dvalishvili At Noche UFC 306

Merab Dvalishvili captured the UFC bantamweight championship at Noche UFC 306, and while it was a dominant performance, it also came with one of the most bizarre openings to a fight in recent memory. In the opening seconds, Dvalishvili could be seen mouthing off, but it wasn’t to opponent O’Malley. Rather, the Georgian challenger appeared […]

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley’s Coach Reveals What He Said To Enrage Merab Dvalishvili At Noche UFC 306 at MMA News.

Merab Dvalishvili captured the UFC bantamweight championship at Noche UFC 306, and while it was a dominant performance, it also came with one of the most bizarre openings to a fight in recent memory.

In the opening seconds, Dvalishvili could be seen mouthing off, but it wasn’t to opponent O’Malley. Rather, the Georgian challenger appeared to be in an argument with the champion’s corner, particularly his coach Tim Welch.

Referee Herb Dean brought a swift halt to the bout to warn Dvalishvili for talking to O’Malley’s corner. Dean also gave a warning to Welch for what commentators referred to as “excessive coaching.” Dean would warn O’Malley’s corner later on in the fight.

The bizarre nature of the pause left many fans confused and looking for clarification. This came especially when the UFC commentary team mentioned that O’Malley’s corner may have initiated the conversation with the title challenger.

On social media the following day, Welch provided clarification on what he was saying.

i said be patient merab, but congrats he fought a great fight

— Tim Welch (@TimwelchMT) September 15, 2024

Tim Welch Reveals What He Told Merab Dvalishvili, Tips His Cap To The New Bantamweight Champion

This is not the first time O’Malley’s corner has been at the center of controversy for talking with a fighter.

As shown by the UFC documentary on Roku earlier this year, O’Malley’s corner appeared to communicate with Aljamain Sterling when O’Malley challenged him for the bantamweight title in the main event of UFC 292. “Sugar” to connect with Sterling not long after and finished the fight from there.

On this occasion, O’Malley struggled with the grappling expertise of Dvalishvili, Sterling’s friend and teammate, as he was taken down several times and nearly submitted in a unanimous decision.

O’Malley had successfully defended the title just once, defeating longtime rival Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 299.

Dvalishvili, meanwhile, has now won 11 straight fights inside the Octagon.

Read More: 7 Positives & 4 Negatives From Noche UFC 306: Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley’s Coach Reveals What He Said To Enrage Merab Dvalishvili At Noche UFC 306 at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley Makes Statement Following Title Loss To Merab Dvalishvili At Noche UFC 306

It would not be far off to say that the performance of Sean O’Malley at Noche UFC (UFC 306) was perhaps the worst he’s ever had in the Octagon — and it ultimately cost him the UFC bantamweight championship. O’Malley appeared to struggle with the pressure and takedowns brought on by Merab Dvalishvili as the […]

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley Makes Statement Following Title Loss To Merab Dvalishvili At Noche UFC 306 at MMA News.

O’Malley appeared to struggle with the pressure and takedowns brought on by Merab Dvalishvili as the two faced off in the main event at the Sphere. Though “Suga” gave the Georgian some trouble in the fight’s final round, Dvalishvili ended up scoring a unanimous decision to win the title.

Not long after the loss, O’Malley made a brief statement on social media, noting the disappointment left in his performance and the result.

“Over promised under delivered. Sorry. Love you guys,” O’Malley wrote.

Over promised under delivered. Sorry. Love you guys.

— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) September 15, 2024

Sean O’Malley Admits Bad Night, Dana White Says He Looked ‘Flat’

Though there were bizarre circumstances at the start of the fight, the opening rounds saw Dvalishvili make a statement with several takedowns and a couple of guillotine attempts that troubled O’Malley. The defending champ landed the fight’s strongest strikes toward the end of the third round, but that was after another four minutes of grappling masterclass from the Georgian.

Several front kicks to the midsection left Dvalishvili hurt and in danger in the fifth round, but O’Malley did not turn up the intensity, and it was too little, too late.

Even UFC CEO Dana White noted the poor performance from O’Malley, saying he looked “flat.”

“He didn’t look sharp. He didn’t look crisp,” White said at the UFC 306 post-fight press conference.

Dvalishvili has now won 11 straight fights after dropping his first two Octagon outings. He also gained an ounce of revenge for his teammate and good friend Aljamain Sterling, who O’Malley knocked out at UFC 292 to capture the bantamweight gold.

O’Malley retained the title once, defeating Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 299 in March.

Read More: 7 Positives & 4 Negatives From Noche UFC 306: Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley Makes Statement Following Title Loss To Merab Dvalishvili At Noche UFC 306 at MMA News.

Deiveson Figueiredo calls for UFC 310 title fight with Merab Dvalishvili: ‘Let’s make this happen’

Taking in last night’s headliner between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC, former undisputed flyweight champion, Deiveson…

Taking in last night’s headliner between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili at Noche UFC, former undisputed flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo now has sights firmly set on an end-of-year bantamweight title charge at UFC 310 in December.

Figueiredo, the current number five ranked bantamweight contender, most recently turned in his third straight win at 135lbs last December earlier this summer, turning in a one-sided unanimous decision win over title challenger, Marlon Vera — becoming the first fighter to score a knockdown on the Ecuadorian in the process.

Deiveson Figueiredo calls for title fight with Merab Dvalishvili following Noche UFC win

And tuning into last night’s bantamweight title fight between O’Malley and Dvalishvili at the Las Vegas Sphere, Brazilian fan-favorite, Deiveson Figueiredo has already staked his claim for a title fight with the newly-minted latter, suggesting the duo should feature in December for gold at the final flagship event of the annum at UFC 310.

And prior to Deiveson Figueiredo’s comments on social media tonight, the Brazilian was already sounded out by the new titleholder, Dvalishvili — who called for a fight with him instead of surging Russian challenger, Umar Nurmagomedov.

Merab Dvalishvili wins title, hands Sean O'Malley dominant decision loss in grudge fight - Noche UFC Highlights

“Whoever they [the UFC] want, I will fight next, but I want to talk to Dana (White),” Merab Dvalishvili told assembled media following Noche UFC. “I want to become his friend — I want to fight the top of the top, you know. I think (Deiveson) Figueiredo would be my fifth champion, he is more dangerous, knockout power, good Jiu-Jitsu, makes people [go to] sleep.”

“That’s why this fight excites me, gives me motivation, makes me work hard,” Merab Dvalishvili explained. “Umar (Nurmagomedov) is okay, but I’m telling you guys, from the top-15, he’s only won one fight.”

Before his decision win over Vera, Figueiredo had turned in a rear-naked choke submission win over former undisputed bantamweight gold holder, Cody Garbrandt, and a decision victory against Rob Font.

Merab Dvalishvili does not want Umar Nurmagomedov, names his next opponent

Off the back of his shutout decision win over Sean O’Malley in last night’s Noche UFC main event, newly-minted…

Off the back of his shutout decision win over Sean O’Malley in last night’s Noche UFC main event, newly-minted undisputed best, Merab Dvalishvili has already shut down an immediate grudge fight with surging Russian contender, Umar Nurmagomedov.

Dvalishvili, who returned to action overnight in the main event of Noche UFC, managed to land the undisputed bantamweight champion in a one-sided showing against Montana striker, O’Malley over the course of five rounds in a shutout decision win at the Las Vegas Sphere.

Out-wrestling and grappling the defending gold holder in a career-highlight performance, Georgia native, Dvalishvili managed to get one back for Team Serra-Longo in the process, with his win avenging a prior knockout loss for former champion and close friend, Aljamain Sterling in the process.

And in the immediate aftermath of his title success, Dvalishvili was pried to welcome a title defense against surging challenger, Nurmagomedov — who is fresh from his own dominant judging success against former title chaser, Cory Sandhagen earlier this summer in the Middle East.

Merab Dvalishvili names ideal first foe after title win at Noche UFC

Turning down the chance to take on the American Kickboxing Academy mainstay next, Dvalishvili instead welcomed the chance to take on former undisputed flyweight kingpin, Deiveson Figueiredo first and foremost.

Merab Dvalishvili does not want Umar Nurmagomedov, names his next opponent

Off the back of his shutout decision win over Sean O’Malley in last night’s Noche UFC main event, newly-minted…