In a highly anticipated showdown at UFC 306, Sean O’Malley faced off against Merab Dvalishvili in the bantamweight division’s main event. Fans had been buzzing about this matchup for weeks, eager to see if O’Malley could defend his title against the surging Georgian, who was riding a remarkable ten-fight win streak.
O’Malley, known for his flashy style and knockout power, came into this fight with a 17-2 record. Earlier this year, he defended his 135-pound title at UFC 299, securing a dominant decision victory over Marlon Vera. Before that, O’Malley had claimed the belt in a TKO finish against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292, solidifying his place at the top of the division.
On the other side, Dvalishvili, with an 18-4 record, had been unstoppable in the Octagon. He last saw action in a unanimous decision win over Henry Cejudo at UFC 298. His relentless pressure and grappling had carried him through a ten-fight win streak, with his last defeat coming all the way back in 2018 when he was submitted by Ricky Simon. Now, ‘The Machine’ was determined to derail O’Malley’s hype and take the belt for himself.
When the cage doors closed and the fight began, it quickly became clear that Dvalishvili wasn’t going to let O’Malley settle into his rhythm. From the very first round, Merab’s grappling and high pace were on full display. He consistently pushed O’Malley against the fence, using his strength and technique to wear him down. O’Malley, despite his best efforts, struggled to deal with the constant pressure from the Georgian.
Merab Dvalishvili Dominates Sean O’Malley at UFC 306
The fight went the full five rounds, with both fighters showing incredible durability. O’Malley had his moments but was largely kept on the defensive, unable to fully execute his striking game due to Dvalishvili’s non-stop pressure and relentless takedown attempts. After 25 hard-fought minutes, the judges awarded the unanimous decision to Merab Dvalishvili, with scores of 49-46 and 48-47 on two cards. It was a performance that many had expected from the grappling powerhouse, and he proved why he’s one of the most dangerous fighters in the division.
Dvalishvili’s victory now raises questions about the future of the bantamweight division. O’Malley, despite the loss, remains one of the most popular fighters in the sport, but this setback will force him to regroup and adjust if he hopes to reclaim his title.
As always, the MMA community was quick to react to the fight on social media.
UFC Fighters React to Dvalishvili Win Over Sean O’Malley
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
