Here is a summary of the co-main event rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley at UFC 316.
The second bout between Dvalishvili (19-4) and O’Malley (18-3, 1 no-contest) took place on June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. This highly anticipated fight was featured as the main event and aired live on pay-per-view.
Round 1
Jason Herzog was the referee for the main event. O’Malley quickly established control of the center of the octagon, but Dvalishvili immediately applied forward pressure. O’Malley landed a quick body punch and a nice jab. Dvalishvili advanced, landing a couple of left hands. O’Malley continued to target the body.
O’Malley connected with a good front kick to the body. Dvalishvili secured a takedown following a right hand, landing a few punches as O’Malley worked back to his feet with Dvalishvili still holding on.
O’Malley broke free but slipped after a wild knee attempt. Dvalishvili couldn`t fully capitalize. Dvalishvili landed another punch and went for a takedown as O’Malley circled away. O’Malley displayed great balance attempting to stay standing, but Dvalishvili`s relentless pressure resulted in another successful takedown.
Dvalishvili followed up with ground-and-pound. O’Malley attempted to tie him up with his legs, but Dvalishvili maintained his pressure. O’Malley managed to get back to his feet by the end of the round, but Dvalishvili controlled the majority, doing what he does best.
Score: 10-9, Dvalishvili.
Round 2
Dvalishvili circled the entire octagon to start the second round, showing no signs of slowing down. He moved forward, absorbing a body punch from O’Malley. O’Malley landed another body shot, but Dvalishvili responded with a combination to the head. O’Malley landed a good right hand in return.
Dvalishvili landed a glancing left hand, staying right in O’Malley’s face. O’Malley landed a counter strike as Dvalishvili rushed in for a takedown attempt, which O’Malley successfully defended, keeping the fight standing. Both fighters jockeyed for position, with O’Malley landing sneaky body shots.
Dvalishvili attempted another takedown, blocked by O’Malley. Dvalishvili scored with a right hand as O’Malley circled away. He rushed in again, landing a right and attempting another takedown. O’Malley showed excellent defense against Dvalishvili`s varied takedown approaches. O’Malley landed a right, followed by a wild exchange where both men missed.
This round was close and could have been scored for either fighter.
Score: 10-9, O’Malley. Overall: 19-19.
Round 3
Dvalishvili went for an early takedown attempt this time, but O’Malley countered effectively. Undeterred, Dvalishvili attacked again and successfully slammed O’Malley to the mat. His grappling proved unstoppable.
O’Malley was active from the bottom, but Dvalishvili maintained heavy control, effectively nullifying O’Malley’s attempts to stand or attack. The crowd grew restless as O’Malley remained stuck on his back.
With less than two minutes remaining, O’Malley fought to stand up, but Dvalishvili remained locked onto him. Dvalishvili executed a trip, twisting his hips, and took O’Malley down again. O’Malley fought hard to regain his feet, but Dvalishvili immediately put him back down.
Dvalishvili then transitioned to a choke attempt. He squeezed O’Malley from an awkward angle. The pressure became too much, and O’Malley was forced to tap out.
AND STILL.
