Merab Dvalishvili kept his promise to defeat Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 in Las Vegas and did so in commanding fashion. The fight unfolded precisely as Dvalishvili had foreseen, with relentless pressure, takedowns, and ground control. Despite some moments of success for O’Malley, Dvalishvili dominated the match for 25 minutes to secure the UFC bantamweight title. The judges unanimously scored the fight 49-46, 48-47, and 48-47 in favor of Dvalishvili, extending his winning streak to 11 and clinching his first UFC championship.
Post-fight, Dvalishvili expressed his astonishment at now being a UFC champion, describing the experience as surreal. He confidently asserted his readiness to go for another 15 rounds and highlighted his superiority over O’Malley.
During the bout, there was some early tension between Dvalishvili and O’Malley’s corner, resulting in a warning from the referee. While O’Malley aimed to establish a strong jab, Dvalishvili consistently responded with takedowns and ground dominance. Despite O’Malley’s brief success in the third round, Dvalishvili maintained control with his grappling and striking.
Dvalishvili sealed the victory with a final takedown in the fifth round, solidifying his title with an outstanding performance. Looking forward, Dvalishvili recognized possible challenges ahead, including a potential matchup with Umar Nurmagomedov.
Following his championship win, Dvalishvili showed appreciation and admiration for Dana White, signaling his openness to discussing his future with the UFC president. He commended White for transforming his life and expressed gratitude for the chance to hold a UFC title.
