Amid backlash of their UFC 316 fight, bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili insists Sean O’Malley is worthy of a rematch.
Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) will run things back with O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) in the June 7 headliner at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Dvalishvili has since notched his first title defense by bouncing Umar Nurmagomedov out of the ranks of the unbeaten at UFC 311 in January.
Considering that Dvalishvili was dominant in his unanimous decision win over O’Malley at UFC 306, not too many people were clamoring for a rematch. Dvalishvili took issue with his past opponent, Nurmagomedov, getting a title shot but has a different outlook on O’Malley.
“Even though a lot of people criticize O’Malley getting the rematch, I think he deserves it,” Dvalishvili said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “I want to find out, too. He made lots of excuses after the fight. Now he did surgery, and I know he will make adjustments, and he will change the game plan.
“It’s going to be a totally different fight. Like O’Malley said, if you don’t like it, don’t watch it. But I think it’s going to be a good fight because I’m going to make some adjustments, too. I know he will attack me from the beginning with the body kicks and striking, and I want to test my striking, too.”
Dvalishvili’s build-up with O’Malley the second time around has been drastically different. The pair have been cordial, even snapping pictures together at the UFC Performance Institute in Las Vegas. Dvalishvili joked that he prefers the trash talking version of O’Malley but can’t help but like him.
“That was so cool,” Dvalishvili said of his jacuzzi session with O’Malley at the UFC PI. “All positive. I always liked the guy. I don’t follow many 135’ers on Instagram, and I follow him. He’s funny, he’s cute, and he’s a good fighter too.
“I only have positive feelings other than him talking stupid about my friend Aljamain Sterling. I feel bad for this guy. I stole his jacket, I stole his belt, I stole his fans. I made him humble. He’s definitely a different guy now.”
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