Merab Dvalishvili captured the bantamweight title from Sean O'Malley with a clear unanimous decision at UFC 306 in September 2024, amidst a backdrop of tense rivalry. Despite some negative sentiments towards O'Malley's coach, the atmosphere shifted post-fight, with O'Malley acknowledging Dvalishvili's positive influence on him. However, Dvalishvili expressed a desire for the old animosity and trash talk to return as they get ready for their upcoming rematch at UFC 316 on June 7. Dvalishvili's recent victory over Umar Nurmagomedov further solidified his strong position in the bantamweight division.
"Merab's a nice guy, he really is... I'll forever be grateful for Merab in the sense that he beat me, made me become not just a better fighter, a better human," O'Malley said. "Losing is a weird thing."
"Cut it out [motherf-ers] go back to talking s-t. I need to be mad about you again," Dvalishvili wrote on Instagram.
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