Is Sean O'Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili On the Table for Early 2025?
By Tim Burke October 18, 2024 14:50
Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has been adamant in recent weeks that he beat Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 and should have retained his belt.
On two judges' scorecards, they scored the fight 48-47 for Merab but the Georgian wrestler still won a clear unanimous decision.
Following UFC 306, it seemed clear that Merab’s first title defense would come against Umar Nurmagomedov. However, Nurmagomedov has been clear he wants to fight again in 2024; while Merab wants to wait until early 2025.
On Thursday, it was reported that Nurmagomedov will face the #8 ranked bantamweight Song Yadong at UFC Tampa Bay on December 14th.
This surprisingly reported fight has left room for the possibility of O’Malley vs Merab 2.
“Don’t fight him. Wait for me. I’m going to be ready in March. Let’s get it. Let’s run it back. Manifesting it putting it out there. That’s happening Sugar vs Merab 2.” O’Malley stated on the Timbo and Sugar Show Podcast.
O’Malley and Dvalishvili had a heated rivalry leading up to their historic match at the sphere. Their rivalry isn’t over following UFC 306.
“Let's Go I will try to not kiss you this time.”- Merab posted on X in reference to kissing O’Malley’s back to taunt his opponent at the end of round 2.
The question is does O’Malley deserve a title fight coming off a loss? Without a doubt, O’Malley is one of the biggest stars in the sport but it is hard to say he has done enough as champion to earn a rematch to reclaim the title based on one title defense as champion.
Earlier this month, Corey Anderson revealed to Fan Arch that UFC CBO Hunter Campbell is interested in putting exciting fighters in championship fights over the best ones. “We're here in the game, to put butts in the seats. It's not about who's the best anymore, it's about who's gonna make us the most money.” Anderson recalled when discussing Hunter Campbell and the UFC’s refusal to give Anderson a title shot.
The UFC is a business and by that logic, O’Malley should certainly get an opportunity to fight for the title. We just saw Israel Adesanya fight for the title coming off a loss in his second reign. The biggest stars will get the most opportunities at the end of the day. If the UFC wants to make the biggest title fight for the bantamweight division in 2025 it will include Sean O’Malley. It’s the most lucrative fight. Time will tell if that happens next.
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