The groups between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili have a historical past.
Final Combating Championship’s (UFC) Bantamweight title has solely belonged to 2 males since UFC 259 in March 2021. Whereas the previous champion, Aljamain Sterling, traditionally noticed his title reign start in controversy by way of a fourth spherical disqualification, it ended definitively. The latter got here because of a second spherical technical knockout from O’Malley at UFC 292 in August 2023 (watch highlights).
Unhealthy blood boiled over between O’Malley and Sterling throughout their construct, dripping onto the highest contender ready within the wings, Dvalishvili. “The Machine” now will get his probability to take the strap from O’Malley once they collide at Noche UFC subsequent month (Sat., Sept. 14, 2024). Nevertheless, Dvalishvil, Sterling, and O’Malley’s coach, Tim Welch, have all gotten into verbal exchanges on-line in latest weeks, retaining the feud alive and nicely.
“Initially, I assumed it was as a result of I stated we’re going to focus on his nostril in an interview, which isn’t a lie,” Welch instructed Submission Radio (h/t MMA Combating). “I imply, it’s not a lie. I’ve by no means actually stated preventing phrases to these guys. However then Merab tweeted out and stated, ‘Subsequent time I see you, I’m going to maintain it,’ or one thing. And it’s like, come on, brother. I haven’t skilled martial arts my entire life for slightly 5-foot-4 man to attempt to punk me out. I’ve skilled my entire life and I’m solely 34 years previous. I’m six foot, 195 kilos. It’s like, alright, alright, nicely, we’ll see what occurs.
“However that’s that’s moreover the purpose,” he continued. “It is a large struggle. We received the No. 1 contender versus the champion of the world. That struggle goes to occur one hundred pc. ‘Sugar Present’ versus Merab, and we’re getting ready and we’re extra dialed in than we’ve ever been as a result of Merab does pose a severe, severe menace.”
Sterling will greater than possible be within the nook for Dvalishvili’s huge alternative. Had the pair not been greatest pals and longtime teammates, they’d have battled it out as one in all Sterling’s title defenses.
Regardless of efficiently shifting to Featherweight after his title loss, Sterling has admitted to “saltiness” occasionally in direction of O’Malley or concerning the loss. From Welch’s perspective, their latest and continued spats are solely proof that that also exists.
“I believe they’re nonetheless bitter,” Welch stated. “They let the little curly-haired, humorous man who makes all these movies, who has tattoos on his face — Sean flat-lined [Sterling]. Sean punched him and dropped bombs on him, compelled him to turtle up. You’ve received this world championship on the road and also you’re preventing the ‘Sugar Present,’ I’m glad you had been fascinated with preventing me and never the struggle you might be in.”