Sean O'Malley, Merab Dvalishvili cordial during run-in at UFC PI: 'Your last fight was impressive'
It's all respect between Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili ahead of their rumored title-fight rematch.
Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) dethroned O'Malley at UFC 306 to become bantamweight champion. He has since handed Umar Nurmagomedov his first-career loss for a successful title defense at UFC 311 in January.
UFC CEO Dana White hinted at a Dvalishvili vs. O'Malley rematch next. The pair recently ran into each other at the UFC Performance Institute, with O'Malley admitting he was impressed by Dvalishvili's performance against Nurmagomedov.
"Your last fight was impressive, you looked good," O'Malley said on his YouTube channel. "That was a fun fight to watch. That was very fun."
Dvalishvili reciprocated the respect toward O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC), who failed to get any significant offense going in their fight – outside of a late body kick in Round 5 that certainly caught the champion's attention.
"I respect you, man, as a fighter," Dvalishvili said. "When we're going to fight, I know you hit hard, and I know you're going to change your plan."
After losing to Dvalishvili, O'Malley underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip, an injury he was dealing with going into the fight.
"I only had one hip last time," O'Malley responded. "I've got both hips now."
Dvalishvili landed six takedowns and had more than 10 minutes of control time in his unanimous decision win over O'Malley. "The Machine" says he plans on showing off his hands in their rematch, which O'Malley laughed off.
"Now I'm going to use my striking," Dvalishvili said. "You think no? You think I'm not? Bro, you see me fight with Umar? I was striking."
All signs are pointing to a title-fight rematch between Dvalishvili and O'Malley, but a date and location is yet to be determined.
Related
Cory Sandhagen explains Sean O'Malley's 'advantage' for UFC title rematch vs. Merab Dvalishvili
Daniel Cormier: Sean O'Malley 'screwed' if he loses to UFC champ Merab Dvalishvili again
Aljamain Sterling: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley rematch 'hard fight to sell'
Sean O'Malley's coach after UFC 311: Merab Dvalishvili a problem, but 'we could be the kryptonite'
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Sean O'Malley, Merab Dvalishvili cordial during run-in at UFC PI: 'Your last fight was impressive'
Topics
-
Marvin Vettori vs. Roman Dolidze 2 prediction, pick: Will UFC Fight Night 254 rematch be different?
MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at the UFC Fight Night 254's main event rematch between Marvin Vettori and Roman ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
UFC free fight: Sean Brady impresses with dominant performance vs. Gilbert Burns
Back in September, Sean Brady showed the world why he's considered to be one of the top welterweights in the world. In the main event of UFC Fight Night 242 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Brady ...Yahoo Sports - 8h -
UFC London: Jan Blachowicz's 'perfect scenario' includes rematching Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira
Jan Blachowicz hopes he can disrupt the UFC's plans of a rematch between Magomed Ankalaev and Alex Pereira. Ankalaev (21-1-1 MMA, 12-1-1 UFC) defeated Pereira (12-3 MMA, 9-2 UFC) by unanimous ...Yahoo Sports - 5d -
UFC Fight Night 255: Make your predictions for Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady in London
We want your predictions for Saturday's UFC Fight Night 255. Our staff picks feature includes the consensus picks from MMA Junkie readers. Simply cast your vote for each bout below, and we'll use ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Diego Lopes responds to criticism of cardio ahead of UFC 314 title fight vs. Alexander Volkanovski
Some say cardio is king in MMA, and that's why some fans are siding with Alexander Volkanovski to beat Diego Lopes in their upcoming UFC title fight. Volkanovski (26-4 MMA, 13-3 UFC) and Lopes ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
UFC Fight Night 255: How to watch Leon Edwards vs. Sean Brady, start time, London fight card, odds, more
The UFC is back in one of the world's most iconic cities Saturday with UFC Fight Night 255 in London. Here's how to watch UFC Fight Night 255 with a British former champion in the headlining spot, ...Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Roman Dolidze willing to give Marvin Vettori trilogy fight if UFC wants: 'Just out of respect'
LAS VEGAS – Roman Dolidze is relieved to get one back. At UFC Fight Night 254, Dolidze (15-3 MMA, 9-3 UFC) avenged a March 2023 loss when he defeated Marvin Vettori (19-8-1 MMA, 9-6-1 UFC) via ...Yahoo Sports - 3d -
Reinier de Ridder shares surprising wish for Bo Nickal fight at UFC on ESPN 67
Reinier de Ridder welcomes Bo Nickal's wrestling at UFC on ESPN 67. De Ridder (19-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) meets Nickal (7-0 MMA, 4-0 UFC) in a three-round middleweight bout May 3 at UFC on ESPN 67 from ...Yahoo Sports - 5h -
Paul Craig returns to light heavyweight at UFC Fight Night event in May
Paul Craig is back to his original weight class. Craig (17-9-1 MMA, 9-9-1 UFC) meets Rodolfo Bellato(12-2-1 MMA, 1-0-1 UFC) in a light heavyweight bout at a UFC Fight Night event, which takes place ...Yahoo Sports - 1h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
The Boston Celtics may have found one of the steals of the 2024 NBA draft on their roster
That steal would be rookie shooting guard Baylor Scheierman.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Great news for Ruben Amorim as Ayden Heaven to return from injury soon after the international break
Despite being stretchered off against Leicester City in the second half on Sunday, Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven could be back soon after the international break.This update comes from ...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Man City’s Rebuild: Where Does Bernardo Silva Fit in Guardiola’s Plans
Bernardo Silva’s Future at Manchester City: A Stay or a Standoff?Manchester City’s season has not gone to plan. A side accustomed to relentless dominance finds itself fifth in the Premier League, ...Yahoo Sports - 13m -
New Packers WR Mecole Hardman could be Tyler Ervin 2.0
Mecole Hardman could be a pre-snap motion weapon who gets designed touches and handles both returner roles for the Packers in 2025.Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Pick your poison: Davante Adams says he and Puka Nacua will be a 'hell of a test' for defenses
Rams WR Davante Adams has high expectations for himself and Puka Nacua in LAYahoo Sports - 17m
More in Sports
-
The Boston Celtics may have found one of the steals of the 2024 NBA draft on their roster
That steal would be rookie shooting guard Baylor Scheierman.Yahoo Sports - 11m -
Great news for Ruben Amorim as Ayden Heaven to return from injury soon after the international break
Despite being stretchered off against Leicester City in the second half on Sunday, Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven could be back soon after the international break.This update comes from ...Yahoo Sports - 12m -
Man City’s Rebuild: Where Does Bernardo Silva Fit in Guardiola’s Plans
Bernardo Silva’s Future at Manchester City: A Stay or a Standoff?Manchester City’s season has not gone to plan. A side accustomed to relentless dominance finds itself fifth in the Premier League, ...Yahoo Sports - 13m -
College baseball Week 5: Top 25 rankings, play of the week and what to watch
Here are the latest Top 25 rankings, featuring a new No. 1, plus what we're watching this week.ESPN - 15m -
College softball rankings: The Top 25 teams after Week 6
Is Oklahoma still No. 1? Which team dropped out this week? Here's the updated college softball Top 25 poll for Week 6.ESPN - 15m