The rivalry is real, and the tension is electric. Ahead of their blockbuster rematch at UFC 316, reigning UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Sean O’Malley went head-to-head in a fiery press conference that showed there’s no love lost between them.
This fight marks the second chapter in their high-stakes saga, after Dvalishvili dethroned O’Malley at UFC 306 in dominant fashion. Since then, the “Machine” has solidified his spot at the top of the division, while O’Malley has been campaigning for a shot at revenge and redemption.
At the UFC 316 press conference, O’Malley came out swinging, not with fists, but with words. “Come Sunday, no one’s gonna give a f*** about Merab,” O’Malley said, shrugging off the champion’s recent dominance.
But Dvalishvili, calm but clearly fired up, didn’t hesitate to clap back. “Keep talking and you’re gonna get more humble,” the Georgian champion said, glaring across the stage. “You was playing all this time like a humble guy. Okay, I’ll show you again.”
Their first fight at UFC 306 saw Dvalishvili overwhelm O’Malley with relentless pressure, takedowns, and suffocating pace, a performance that many dubbed “the blueprint to break the Sugar Show.” Since then, O’Malley has made adjustments, racking up wins and claiming he’s a new, improved version of the fighter who fell last time.
'I Already Kissed Him, Now It's Time To...': Merab Dvalishvili Eyes Finish In UFC 316 Showdown With Sean O'Malley; Video
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is making bold claims ahead of his highly anticipated rematch against Sean O'Malley at UFC 316, scheduled for June 7, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Reflecting on their previous encounter at UFC 306, where Dvalishvili secured an unanimous decision victory, the Georgian fighter admitted he didn't fully unleash his potential. "I have extra motivation to finish this fight, because first fight I was going easy on him," Dvalishvili stated. "I was laughing, I was showboating, I was kissing him... I already kissed him. Now it's time to smash him."
On the other side, Sean O'Malley is determined to reclaim the title. Following his loss, O'Malley has intensified his training, working with former UFC champions like Demetrious Johnson and Israel Adesanya to improve his grappling skills.
