Merab Dvalishvili didn’t simply beat Sean O’Malley once more, he completed it sooner than the primary time.
“The Machine” recorded his second straight bantamweight title protection and his second win over O’Malley in the principle occasion of UFC 316 on Saturday at Prudential Heart in Newark, N.J. In some ways, this bout was extra aggressive than their first assembly at UFC 306, which noticed the fighters go the space and Dvalishvili win a unanimous determination.
This time, O’Malley displayed markedly improved takedown protection, however that solely spurred Dvalishvili to additional greatness as he nonetheless managed to place O’Malley on his again a number of instances whereas attacking with ground-and-pound and submissions.
Dvalishvili definitively broke by means of O’Malley’s defenses in Spherical 3 to safe a choke and a faucet, enhancing to 2-0 of their rivalry.
On social media, many fighters reacted by praising Dvalishvili as the most effective ever to compete at 135 kilos, whereas others puzzled why this rematch was occurring within the first place.
Try fighter reactions under.
Severe query on the lookout for an sincere solutions, why was O’Malley given a rematch? #UFC316
— Zac Pauga (@ZacPauga) June 8, 2025
Nice win Merab! Truthfully this wasn’t a struggle, however straight bullying #ufc316
— Manel Kape (@ManelKape) June 8, 2025
Congrats Merab! That’s a wrap! Good nights guys!
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) June 8, 2025
I do wish to see Cory struggle for the title subsequent however man on the identical time I must see that O’Malley vs sandhagen
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) June 8, 2025
@MerabDvalishvil simply give an grasp class as all the time, you possibly can say wherever you need , however he’s the goat ! Very exiting to look at , pleased with you brother #UFC316
— Johnny Walker (@JohnnyWalker) June 8, 2025
Merab appeared higher than ever! Boxing and submission. #UFC316
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) June 8, 2025
