(This story was up to date so as to add new data.)
If Sean O’Malley desires an opportunity to get the bantamweight title again, the brand new champ says he can have it.
Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) outworked O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) for a unanimous choice within the UFC 306 principal occasion rather less than two weeks in the past at Sphere in Las Vegas. The bout was O’Malley’s second tried title protection. He beat Aljamain Sterling to win the belt in August 2023, then beat Marlon Vera in March in his first protection.
Whereas the combat with Dvalishvili appeared moderately shut on paper – Dvalishvili picked up a 49-46 rating from one choose and 48-47s from two others – the actual fact stays no media retailers scoring the combat, as tracked by MMA Selections, had it for O’Malley. A handful had 48-47 scores, however most had it 49-46 or 50-45 for Dvalishvili by an element of about 2-to-1.
Nonetheless, O’Malley, on his YouTube podcast, stated it’s his competition he gained Rounds 1, 3 and 5 – and that the commentary helped create a bias amongst followers and pundits that he received his “ass whooped.” “I’m the champ. I gained. Go rewatch that combat,” he stated.
So if that’s the case, Dvalishvili stated he’s down with a response on social media and even supplied up a suggestion of UFC 309 at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York in November.
“I hear O’Malley thinks he gained the combat and is searching for a rematch,” Dvalishvili poster. “If he desires it he can have it. Let’s do it November sixteenth on the Backyard after which I’ll nonetheless defend the title towards whoever the UFC desires me to combat subsequent. What do you suppose? @SugaSeanMMA”
I hear O’Malley thinks he gained the combat and is searching for a rematch. If he desires it he can have it. Let’s do it November sixteenth on the Backyard after which I’ll nonetheless defend the title towards whoever the UFC desires me to combat subsequent. What do you suppose? @SugaSeanMMA
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) September 27, 2024
O’Malley stated there was “no debate” he misplaced Rounds 2 and 4, “one hundred pc,” however not the opposite three rounds.
Dvalishvili critics have began to surmise that the one purpose he’s providing O’Malley a rematch is as a result of he is aware of it’s not a viable choice for his first title protection, and that it’s doable he’s ducking Umar Nurmagomedov.
Nurmagomedov appears to suppose that’s the case.
😂😂😂😂😂
He able to combat with anybody besides Umar Nurmagomedov https://t.co/yCXC9xwGQ0— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) September 27, 2024
O’Malley is scheduled to have hip surgical procedure subsequent week and might be out for what is anticipated to be, at minimal, six months – however maybe so long as a yr. The hip damage reportedly was one he suffered in camp.
Afterward social media, O’Malley took his flip to chime in and maintained his stance that he gained three rounds.
https://twitter.com/SugaSeanMMA/standing/1839692041686798638
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 306.
You’ll want to go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of blended martial arts.
