Merab Dvalishvili teases Sean O’Malley rematch for UFC 309, O’Malley responds

Merab Dvalishvili is providing to place his rivalry with Sean O’Malley to mattress for good.

“The Machine” handily received a five-round unanimous choice at UFC 306 to take the bantamweight title from O’Malley, however the former champion has questioned the scoring since, arguing that he did sufficient to win three rounds of the struggle.

Although O’Malley got here on robust within the fifth and arguably received the third, it’s troublesome to determine what different around the judges might have given him on condition that Dvalishvili managed nearly all of the motion together with his grappling. Regardless, Dvalishvili seems to be open to dealing with O’Malley once more, and shortly, as he took to social media to suggest a rematch at UFC 309 on Nov. 16 at Madison Sq. Backyard in New York.

“I hear O’Malley thinks he received the struggle and is in search of a rematch,” Dvalishvili wrote in a Twitter put up tagging O’Malley.” If he desires it, he can have it. Let’s do Nov. 16 on the Backyard after which I’ll nonetheless defend the title in opposition to whoever the UFC desires me to struggle subsequent. What do you assume?”

Dvalishvili’s assurance that he nonetheless plans to defend in opposition to one other contender might be excellent news for struggle followers desirous to see him lock up with undefeated bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov. A matchup between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov would put the champion’s 11-fight win streak in opposition to an opponent that’s but to lose in 18 professional bouts.

Regardless, it doesn’t sound like O’Malley plans to take Dvalishvili up on his provide as he has an upcoming surgical procedure that would preserve him sidelined nicely into 2025. He replied to Dvalishvili, telling him that he ought to simply struggle Nurmagomedov as an alternative.

“Getting surgical procedure Oct. 3,” O’Malley wrote. “Fought you with one hip and nonetheless beat you. Rounds 1, 3, 5. I’m the champ. Combat Umar.”

Nurmagomedov has additionally chimed in by way of social media:

Dvalishvili later provided a clarification, claiming that it’s O’Malley who has been pushing for a rematch and that he’s merely accommodating that request—on his phrases.

The bantamweight champion additionally reiterated that he’s open to preventing Nurmagomedov or another opponent as soon as his enterprise with O’Malley is resolved.