Tag: Merab Dvalishvili

UFC Legend Predicts Umar Nurmagomedov ‘Cameo’ After Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili At UFC 306

Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili will fight for the UFC bantamweight championship at UFC 306 in The Sphere, Las Vegas. The title fight is predicted to go either way because both fighters boast contrasting yet very effective styles. However, the bantamweight division has been so stacked lately that a couple of strong contenders are already […]

Continue Reading UFC Legend Predicts Umar Nurmagomedov ‘Cameo’ After Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili At UFC 306 at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili will fight for the UFC bantamweight championship at UFC 306 in The Sphere, Las Vegas. The title fight is predicted to go either way because both fighters boast contrasting yet very effective styles.

However, the bantamweight division has been so stacked lately that a couple of strong contenders are already waiting for the winner. Former UFC flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo is riding a three-fight win streak since moving up and Umar Nurmagomedov has solidified his claim as well with a win over Cory Sandhagen.

Despite no official confirmation, Chael Sonnen believes that Nurmagomedov is indeed the next title contender in UFC’s bantamweight division. He’s also predicted the perfect way to announce the new challenger at UFC 306 itself…

Chael Sonnen Looks Forward To Umar Nurmagomedov Facing Winner Of Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili

On his official YouTube channel, Sonnen revealed that he ran into Nurmagomedov at The Sphere which he doesn’t think of as a coincidence. Instead, the UFC veteran predicts that the no. 2 ranked bantamweight will be seated in the front rows to appear instantly in the Octagon after the main event ends.

“The American Gangster” stated that the UFC would either have Joe Rogan announce Nurmagomedov’s title shot or he would get a proper face-off with the champ inside the ‘Octagon.

“I’m not having the debate of does he deserve it. I’m not having the debate of 18 straight, four years in the company, six in the Octagon, six wins straight. I’m not having that debate. I fully understand he could be number one contender. What I’m sharing for you, if he’s here, and they plan to put him in the front row to potentially, whether it’s a cameo for an announcement that maybe say Joe Rogan will make or it’s an organic face off. He gets in the ring and he goes nose to nose with either Merab or Sean.”

Sonnen then talked about O’Malley and Dvalishvili having contrasting takes on the next title challenger in their division. Dvalishvili thinks Figueiredo’s wins over a former champ and a title challenger make him more deserving of a shot. On the other end, O’Malley seems to have accepted the Russian’s title shot following his win over Sandhagen.

All of this would naturally not matter if Sonnen’s prediction is true. He strongly believes that the undefeated Dagestani prospect is attending the live event only to help the UFC announce the next bantamweight title fight.

It is worth noting that Sonnen doesn’t believe Figueiredo doesn’t deserve to fight for the title yet. He just sees Nurmagomedov as a bigger draw because of his last win and his training family which comprises Khabib Nurmagomedov, Usman Nurmagomedov, and Islam Makhachev, among other dominant fighters.

Continue Reading UFC Legend Predicts Umar Nurmagomedov ‘Cameo’ After Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili At UFC 306 at MMA News.

Merab Dvalishvili On After Becoming A UFC Champion: ‘If I Die, I Don’t Care’

Merab Dvalishvili recently shared his thoughts on what it would mean to him if he were to finally capture UFC gold. “The Machine” has the opportunity to make his dream a reality this Saturday night as he challenges UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley in the main event of Noche UFC 306, set to take place […]

Continue Reading Merab Dvalishvili On After Becoming A UFC Champion: ‘If I Die, I Don’t Care’ at MMA News.

Merab Dvalishvili recently shared his thoughts on what it would mean to him if he were to finally capture UFC gold.

“The Machine” has the opportunity to make his dream a reality this Saturday night as he challenges UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley in the main event of Noche UFC 306, set to take place at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

With a remarkable 10-fight winning streak under his belt, Dvalishvili has been relentlessly pushing for a long-overdue title opportunity. However, O’Malley chose to defend his belt against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March, successfully avenging the only blemish on his otherwise stellar UFC record.

The 33-year-old Georgian enters the bout riding high after a commanding unanimous decision victory over former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 in February. Dvalishvili’s unbeaten streak boasts decisive wins over elite competition, including former champions Petr Yan and José Aldo, as well as a host of other top-tier opponents.

Dvalishvili has undeniably toiled tirelessly for his long-awaited title shot, and now he’s primed to prove his mettle on one of the sport’s grandest stages. ‘The Machine’ is more determined than ever to clinch the 135-pound belt…

Dvalishvili Says He’ll Feel ‘Relieved’ After Dethroning O’Malley At Noche UFC 306

During a recent interview with Bleacher Report, “The Machine” gave his insights into the upcoming title clash with O’Malley at Noche UFC 306.

Dvalishvili opened up about the significance of becoming a UFC champion, a status he says he has diligently worked towards throughout his career.

“We [fighters] have just one dream: to become UFC champion,” Dvalishvili said. “After that, I’m really, truly telling you, if I die, I don’t care. I cannot even imagine [having the belt put on me], man. I just want to feel the reality. I am doing everything for that. I don’t wanna even dream about it.”

Dvalishvili also mentioned that he’s uncertain about his plans following a potential title victory this weekend, but he’s certain it would lift a significant weight off his shoulders. He expressed a desire to show that even an ordinary person can achieve their dreams through unwavering dedication and relentless hard work.

“I don’t know what I’m gonna say, I don’t know what I’m gonna do, but I know one thing for sure: I will be so happy, so relieved, and I know I will do lots of great things with the gold and with the UFC belt,” Dvalishvili continued. “I want to travel the world, and I wanna show the people I’m just a normal guy, a small guy, but I’m hardworking, and if I work hard and I got this belt, you guys can get everything too. Just work hard and just chase your dream. Believe in yourself.”

While Dvalishvili is projected to be the toughest challenge for “Suga” so far, achieving victory won’t be a walk in the park. O’Malley, an elite-level striker, presents a formidable threat with his heavy hands, which could effectively counter Dvalishvili’s wrestling-heavy style.

Continue Reading Merab Dvalishvili On After Becoming A UFC Champion: ‘If I Die, I Don’t Care’ at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley: Ilia Topuria ‘Needs Me’ To Move Up After Max Holloway Fight

Sean O’Malley recently asserted that after Ilia Topuria’s upcoming clash with Max Holloway, the only clear course for “El Matador” is a showdown with him. Topuria is gearing up to defend his featherweight crown for the first time in a highly anticipated clash against Holloway, headlining UFC 308 on October 26 at the Etihad Arena […]

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley: Ilia Topuria ‘Needs Me’ To Move Up After Max Holloway Fight at MMA News.

Sean O’Malley recently asserted that after Ilia Topuria’s upcoming clash with Max Holloway, the only clear course for “El Matador” is a showdown with him.

Topuria is gearing up to defend his featherweight crown for the first time in a highly anticipated clash against Holloway, headlining UFC 308 on October 26 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

“Suga” has been zeroing in on Topuria ever since retaining his bantamweight title against former foe Marlon Vera at UFC 299 this past March. Following his victory, O’Malley wasted no time in calling out the Georgian-Spanish fighter, even trading jabs with him on social media and igniting talk of a potential champ vs. champ super fight.

However, before O’Malley can lock horns with Topuria, he must first overcome another Georgian obstacle — Merab Dvalishvili.

The 29-year-old Montana native is set to put his title on the line against “The Machine’ in the headlining bout of Noche UFC 306, taking place this Saturday inside the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“Suga” is convinced that once Topuria finishes business with Holloway, he’ll need to face a high-profile opponent like him…

O’Malley Shares Mixed Feelings On Possible Topuria Match

During a recent interview with Bleacher Report, O’Malley weighed in on a potential super fight with Topuria.

The reigning UFC bantamweight champ expressed that, after Noche UFC 306, he has no shortage of challengers waiting in the wings. However, he believes “El Matador” will be left without a worthy opponent after defending his title against Holloway.

“The more I think about the Ilia fight, I’m like, you know what, Ilia needs me,” O’Malley said. “Who’s he going to fight next? [If] he goes out there and beats Max [Holloway at UFC 308], who is he going to fight next? I have guys lined up. I have big fights. Ilia needs me more than I need Ilia.”

However, “Suga” voiced some hesitation, suggesting that he doubts Topuria will even make it past “Blessed” at UFC 308.

Instead, he floated the idea of facing rising star Umar Nurmagomedov, a fight “The Young Eagle” has previously likened to the magnitude of the legendary Khabib Nurmagomedov vs. Conor McGregor showdown.

“To be honest, I don’t think he’s gonna get past Max anyway, so I’m kind of switching gears from that. We got guys like Umar that I think are going to be massive fights,” O’Malley added.”

Although Topuria, who knocked out Alexander Volkanovski at UFC 298 to capture the 145-pound title, has never openly entertained the idea of facing O’Malley, he didn’t entirely dismiss it.

After O’Malley called him out following UFC 299, “El Matador” left the door open for a potential showdown, fueling further speculation about a future clash.

Continue Reading Sean O’Malley: Ilia Topuria ‘Needs Me’ To Move Up After Max Holloway Fight at MMA News.

Max Holloway Chooses His UFC 306 Winner: A Bold Prediction at The Sphere

Max Holloway on Sean O'Malley Vs. Merab Dvalishvili UFC 306Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway is offering his prediction for the upcoming bantamweight title showdown between Sean O’Malley…

Max Holloway on Sean O'Malley Vs. Merab Dvalishvili UFC 306

Former UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway is offering his prediction for the upcoming bantamweight title showdown between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 306.

Max Holloway on Sean O’Malley Vs. Merab Dvalishvili

‘Blessed’ Max Holloway is celebrated for his striking skills and high-volume fighting style, making him one of the top contenders in the featherweight division. He will look to recapture his title at UFC 308 against the knockout striker Ilia Topuria.

‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley is the current UFC Bantamweight Champion, recognized for his flashy striking and knockout power. With a record of 17 wins and 1 loss, O’Malley has quickly become a fan favorite, known for his unique fighting style.

The top-ranked Georgian Wrestler Merab Dvalishvili is known for his relentless pace and grappling ability. He has an impressive record of 16 wins and 4 losses, showcasing his stamina and wrestling skills, which have made him a challenging opponent.

'Won't be done again': Dana White says UFC 306 will never happen again

The Hawaiian-born Max Holloway offers his prediction for the UFC bantamweight title fight going down at The Sphere in Las Vegas at UFC 306. Speaking on YouTube, he explained:

“Merab — great cardio, great pressure, great fighter. But one hole in his game that we’ve seen over and over again is he gets caught. He gets caught, and he gets caught early. It’s almost like he needs to get woken up, and then he finally turns on and the gears start working. Everything starts flowing, and he gets after it. “

But if there’s one guy in the bantamweight division that you do not wanna get caught by, it’s Sean. A lot of guys tease Sean, how he’s skinny and lanky and long and looks brittle and blah blah blah. He looks like this. He dyes his hair, bro. That’s just who he is. That’s just how he is. That’s how he carries himself. But you cannot take away that this guy can fight.

“This guy can crack. He knocks people out. He lands. He’s a sharp shooter. And my belief, in this fight, a lot of people have been asking me and waiting to see who I pick. I’m going Sean, man. I’m going Sean. Merab, he likes getting hit.” [Ht MMAMania]

Noche UFC 306 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili, Grasso vs. Shevchenko, & More

Noche UFC (UFC 306) is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup. The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, September 14, at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at […]

Continue Reading Noche UFC 306 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili, Grasso vs. Shevchenko, & More at MMA News.

Noche UFC (UFC 306) is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for Saturday’s lineup.

The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, September 14, at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada. The main card begins at 10 PM ET/7 PM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 7:30 PM ET/4:30 PM PT.

Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley, who is tasked with getting the better of the surging Merab Dvalishvili if he’s to record a second successful title defense and stall the Georgian’s bid to exact revenge for his teammate Aljamain Sterling’s loss to “Sugar” last year.

Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see Alexa Grasso making a defense of her flyweight gold at the Mexican Independence Day celebration for the second straight year. After her Noche UFC headline rematch with Valentina Shevchenko ended in a draw in 2023, the pair will complete their trilogy inside the Sphere after coaching opposite one another on this year’s edition of The Ultimate Fighter.

Also set to make the walk on Saturday night will be the likes of featherweight fan favorite Diego Lopes, former 135-pound title challenger Irene Aldana, and highly touted youngster Raul Rosas Jr.

Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the Noche UFC 306 main card here.

Noche UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili Betting Odds

Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 306 (as of 9/13), courtesy of DraftKings.

Main Card:

  • Sean O’Malley (-125) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (+105)
  • Alexa Grasso (-130) vs. Valentina Shevchenko (+110)
  • Brian Ortega (+164) vs. Diego Lopes (-198)
  • Daniel Zellhuber (-230) vs. Esteban Ribovics (+190)
  • Ronaldo Rodriguez (-155) vs. Ode’ Osbourne (+130)

Preliminary Card:

  • Irena Aldana (-115) vs. Norma Dumont (-105)
  • Manuel Torres (-135) vs. Ignacio Bahamondes (+114)
  • Yazmin Jauregui (-520) vs. Ketlen Souza (+390)
  • Edgar Cháirez (+195) vs. Joshua Van (-238)
  • Raul Rosas Jr. (-1000) vs. Aoriqileng (+650)

Continue Reading Noche UFC 306 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili, Grasso vs. Shevchenko, & More at MMA News.

Israel Adesanya Predicts How Sean O’Malley Will Fare Against ‘Khabib-esque Mauler’ Merab Dvalishvili 

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is high on the striking of Sean O’Malley, and he thinks Merab Dvalishvili will be in trouble if he finds himself in front of it for too long. The promotion stages its second annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day this weekend, with the unique Sphere venue in Las […]

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya Predicts How Sean O’Malley Will Fare Against ‘Khabib-esque Mauler’ Merab Dvalishvili  at MMA News.

Former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya is high on the striking of Sean O’Malley, and he thinks Merab Dvalishvili will be in trouble if he finds himself in front of it for too long.

The promotion stages its second annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day this weekend, with the unique Sphere venue in Las Vegas playing host to Noche UFC (UFC 306) on Sept. 14.

Two pieces of gold will be on the line, with O’Malley’s second defense of the bantamweight title set to follow the trilogy fight between flyweight elites Alexa Grasso and Valentina Shevchenko.

Not many main events this year have split opinions and predictions quite like O’Malley’s upcoming showdown with Dvalishvili. And the latest to reveal which side of the fence they sit on is no stranger to the positions of both champion and challenger…

Adesanya Backs O’Malley To Meet Dvalishvili’s Takedowns With KO Blow

During a video recently uploaded to his FREESTYLEBENDER YouTube channel, Adesanya broke down and predicted the major matchups set to unfold inside the Sphere on Saturday night.

“The Last Stylebender” paid close attention to the headliner, assessing how the champ will handle a smothering grappling style from the challenger that he branded similar to that of the great Khabib Nurmagomedov.

Despite high praise for Dvalishvili, however, Adesanya is backing O’Malley to find the knockout blow as the Georgian enters range in pursuit of a takedown.

“Aljo (Aljamain Sterling) couldn’t get him down, and Aljo trains with Merab. I’m sure Merab might get him down, but Sean will probably get back up. And if he (Dvalishvili) doesn’t get him down, he’s in trouble,” Adesanya said. “Styles make fights. Merab’s style is not Aljamain’s style. When we trained together, he had a different pace, cardio, and different energy as well. … Sean can fight. I’ve seen him in round four, round five look clean. But Merab is like, Khabib-esque. He’s a mauler.

“While Sean’s finding his groove, Merab’s gonna put it on him and just try to take him down. If he gets him down, it’ll be just when Sean gets tired,” Adesanya continued. “When you know someone is coming for a takedown constantly, you can find it, you can find the shot, and Sean can find the shot. … Yeah, I’m gonna go Sean by TKO.”

O’Malley will look to prove Adesanya’s prediction correct come fight night in Las Vegas by sending Dvalishvili to the same fate as teammate Sterling fell to in August 2023.

In doing so, “Sugar” would move closer to his ultimate ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage, which includes a shot at two-division glory up at featherweight and a place in the GOAT conversation.

Continue Reading Israel Adesanya Predicts How Sean O’Malley Will Fare Against ‘Khabib-esque Mauler’ Merab Dvalishvili  at MMA News.