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March 19, 2025 10:30 am ET
It’s all respect between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili forward of their rumored title-fight rematch.
Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) dethroned O’Malley at UFC 306 to become bantamweight champion. He has since handed Umar Nurmagomedov his first-career loss for a profitable title protection at UFC 311 in January.
UFC CEO Dana White hinted at a Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley rematch next. The pair lately bumped into one another on the UFC Efficiency Institute, with O’Malley admitting he was impressed by Dvalishvili’s efficiency towards Nurmagomedov.
“Your final struggle was spectacular, you seemed good,” O’Malley mentioned on his YouTube channel. “That was a enjoyable struggle to look at. That was very enjoyable.”
Dvalishvili reciprocated the respect towards O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC), who did not get any vital offense going of their struggle – outdoors of a late physique kick in Spherical 5 that definitely caught the champion’s consideration.
“I respect you, man, as a fighter,” Dvalishvili mentioned. “Once we’re going to struggle, I do know you hit exhausting, and I do know you’re going to vary your plan.”
After shedding to Dvalishvili, O’Malley underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip, an damage he was coping with going into the struggle.
“I solely had one hip final time,” O’Malley responded. “I’ve acquired each hips now.”
Dvalishvili landed six takedowns and had greater than 10 minutes of management time in his unanimous choice win over O’Malley. “The Machine” says he plans on displaying off his arms of their rematch, which O’Malley laughed off.
“Now I’m going to make use of my hanging,” Dvalishvili mentioned. “You suppose no? You suppose I’m not? Bro, you see me struggle with Umar? I used to be hanging.”
All indicators are pointing to a title-fight rematch between Dvalishvili and O’Malley, however a date and site is but to be decided.
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