Merab Dvalishvili believes he took everything Sean O’Malley had been working towards when he defeated him for the UFC bantamweight title last September at UFC 306. Dvalishvili secured a unanimous decision victory in that fight, which was preceded by a lot of heated exchanges. Now, as they prepare for a rematch at UFC 316 on June 7 in Newark, NJ, the atmosphere is noticeably more amicable. Dvalishvili suggests this shift might be because he feels a degree of sympathy for O’Malley.
“He’s funny, he’s charming, and he’s also a skilled fighter,” Dvalishvili remarked in an interview. “My feelings towards O’Malley are positive, except for when he spoke negatively about my friend Aljamain Sterling.”
Dvalishvili added, “I actually feel a bit sorry for the guy. I took his shine, his championship, and his fanbase. I believe I’ve humbled him. He seems like a changed person now, which is good for him, and in a way, good for me too, considering how things have turned out. Life is good, training camp is progressing well, and I’m thankful for everything.”
The relationship between the two wasn`t always this friendly. Leading up to their first fight, both fighters engaged in online banter, mocking each other and their teams. Even after Dvalishvili`s victory, the verbal sparring continued, with O’Malley even suggesting the judges` decision was unfair. However, since the rematch announcement, O’Malley has adopted a more respectful tone towards Dvalishvili, acknowledging his abilities as a fighter. This change in demeanor has been surprising to the champion.
“It felt strange because they were being so complimentary,” Dvalishvili admitted. “Naturally, everyone appreciates compliments, but it was an unusual sensation. I almost felt like I was becoming friends with them. Even Tim Welch, O’Malley’s coach, who I don’t particularly like, when he started saying nice things, it slightly warmed my heart. But then I thought, ‘No, no, don’t do this, guys. I need to maintain my anger towards you.’ It was a very strange feeling.”
“It`s not that I hate Sean O’Malley; I simply want to compete against him. Tim, however, made significant errors. He should act like a professional coach, but he doesn`t. He attempted to cheat and showed disrespect, which is why I engaged in trash talk. That’s what happened,” Dvalishvili explained.
“As a professional fighter, I made the mistake of underestimating an opponent only once, during my UFC debut. I remember looking at my opponent and almost feeling reluctant to hit him. After experiencing a controversial loss, I learned a valuable lesson. I don’t anticipate making similar errors again, even if I like my opponent. I will remain professional, maintain my focus, and fight with full force.”
Despite Dvalishvili`s willingness for a rematch, not everyone is enthusiastic about it. Many fans expressed disappointment at O’Malley receiving an immediate rematch, especially considering the one-sided nature of their first fight. However, Dvalishvili insists that this is the fight he desires.
“O’Malley is a powerful striker. Even when he landed glancing blows, I could feel his power,” Dvalishvili acknowledged. “He has knockout power. So, I need to be strategic and patient in this fight. I’m confident he will have made adjustments, improved his takedown defense, and will be more aggressive this time. It’s going to be a significantly different fight. Rematches rarely mirror the first fight. This one will be different.”
“I’m pleased with this rematch. Many people have criticized O’Malley for getting it, but I believe he deserves it, and I also want to see how he adapts. He made numerous excuses after our first fight, and now he’s had surgery. I expect he will adjust his game plan. It’s going to be a completely different fight. But if it’s not, well, as O’Malley says, ‘If you don’t like it, don’t watch it.’”
Dvalishvili hinted that viewers might witness something extraordinary, suggesting that despite having only one finish in his UFC career, he intends to secure his second in June.
“I also want to showcase my striking skills,” Dvalishvili stated. “My goal is to finish him, either by TKO or knockout. It’s going to be an exciting fight, and I’m really looking forward to it.”
