Last night’s UFC 316 main event at Newark’s Prudential Center was billed as a grunt match, but Merab Dvalishvili has become a wrestling clinic. The bantamweight champion made his second title defense and again lost Sean O’Malley.
Merab dvalishvili New Jersey crowds celebrate with New York
Sean O’Malley, who vowed to revenge after losing his belt to Dvalishvili last year, finds himself stuck in the same cycle.
Merab Dvalishvili had a postwar glow. “I’m really happy.” He said at a post-UFC press conference.
“It was a special day as we were fighting near New York, New Jersey. Here I began my professional career here. I started my first step here. It was very difficult years ago. But today, I had President Donald Trump here. I am very happy and grateful.”
The Champion’s emotional screams reminded me that this was personal to all the hype. Homecoming and a statement got caught up in one. As for the fight itself, Dvalishvili’s game plan was flexible. He continued: “To be honest, I’m getting better everywhere. I’m not just focusing on one thing.” He explained.
“My game plan changes during training camp. I sometimes have a body shot. I’m going to punch him in the body. I’m impressed because I sometimes see someone impressive. I’m particularly impressed with the first thing I wanted to win against a dangerous opponent like Sean O’Malley.”
result? Dvalishvili has fitted an adaptive masterclass. He put pressure on O’Malley from the start, mixing takedowns and sharp strikes. Sean O’Malley recovered with his trademark accuracy, but every time he seemed to find rhythm, Merab Dvalishvili dragged him down or tightened him. By the third round, the champions smelled blood and were trapped in a chalk for a tap. It’s an exclamation point worthy of his first UFC submission victory and a dominant performance.
Merab Dvalishvili has solidified his place above the Bantamweight division with victory. He’s already focusing on Corey Sandhagen as his next challenge, but O’Malley is back in the lab.