Reigning UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley is set to defend his title against top-ranked contender Merab Dvalishvili. Their fight is tentatively scheduled for September 14 at UFC 306 at the Sphere arena in Las Vegas, USA.
Bookmakers favor the challenger, who has been on a long winning streak and is in excellent form. He’s likely to learn from his friend Sterling’s mistakes, avoid powerful punches, and give the champion a competitive fight. Analysts are confident that the American will face a serious test of his wrestling skills.
Sean O’Malley
- UFC Bantamweight Champion. Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Recipient of 3 “Fight of the Night” and 6 “Performance of the Night” bonuses in the UFC.
- Record: 20 fights, 18 wins, 1 loss, 1 no contest.
With his easy victory over Chito, the champion proved that he continues to progress and can maintain his pace over five rounds. Shortly after his triumph, Sean made every effort to organize a fight with Dvalishvili, and his coach is confident they know how to defeat Merab.
What to expect from O’Malley against Dvalishvili?
O’Malley will throw jabs from different angles and constantly employ his signature feints. He’ll counter his opponent’s attacks with devastating body crosses and head hooks.
Sean will be able to land double left straights and effectively block low kicks. When Merab takes enough hits and starts to think longer about his offense, the champ will go on the attack himself, aiming to knock him out with a precise hook.
To avoid getting caught in a clinch, Sean will need to constantly move and maintain distance. O’Malley can break down his opponent with knees and use his full weight during grappling exchanges. On the ground, the champ will push Merab away and create space to return to his feet.
O’Malley’s chances of victory
Sean has a better chance of winning as he’s capable of dealing with his opponent’s main weapon – wrestling. While some opponents have managed to take O’Malley down, he has always demonstrated excellent grappling skills and reflexes.
Moreover, the champion is quite large, making it energy-consuming to control him. Given Sean’s mobility, Merab will expend a lot of energy just attempting to catch him for a takedown.
O’Malley, in turn, will methodically work towards a finish in the third or fourth round.
Merab Dvalishvili
- Former Ring of Combat Bantamweight Champion. Competed in CFFC and CES MMA tournaments.
- Record: 21 fights, 17 wins, 4 losses.
Merab has built an impressive ten-fight winning streak. He won almost all of these fights convincingly, save for an unfortunate episode in his bout with Moraes. Dvalishvili has been studying O’Malley for a long time, having helped Aljo prepare for his fight with Sean.
Now the Georgian fighter has a chance to claim the title himself and score a high-profile victory over a star as charismatic and dangerous as himself.
What to expect from Dvalishvili against O’Malley?
Dvalishvili will start with low kicks and front kicks to the body and legs. He’ll evade Sean’s attacks and return with middle kicks and heavy overhands.
Merab will frequently feint, using forward and backward jumps. He’ll then shoot for a single-leg takedown and try to control the body. His main goal will be to take Sean’s back in a standing position and execute a takedown from there.
Dvalishvili will also try to pin Sean against the cage to attempt a slam or trip. On the ground, he’ll try to quickly establish side control and work for an Americana or mount. Merab will gradually increase his pace and become more active with takedown attempts from the middle of the third round.
Dvalishvili’s chances of victory
The Georgian can win the fight by decision or finish in the fourth or fifth round. In his bout with Yan, Dvalishvili demonstrated that he can easily go the championship distance.
He’ll likely want to wear Sean down with takedown attempts and try to finish a tired opponent from the top in the later rounds.
It’s quite possible that Merab will conserve energy by defending with short boxing combinations in the first half of the fight. He clearly doesn’t intend to force the pace of the fight either.
Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili: Fight prediction
For the first two rounds, Merab will work in energy-saving mode and study his opponent. After that, he’ll try to showcase all his wrestling skills, but he’ll find it very difficult to take Sean down.
Even though O’Malley will be wary of takedowns, he’ll still manage to outshoot Dvalishvili at long range. Sean will have enough strength, reflexes, and skills to withstand the challenger in the clinch and at close range in general.
I doubt that Merab will be able to significantly surpass the champ in terms of endurance, so O’Malley is my favorite in this fight. He’ll have the advantage in size, speed, and timing. Sean will always be able to meet Dvalishvili with a powerful strike or escape from a dangerous hold. He won’t be inferior in terms of tactical preparation either.