Merab Dvalishvili is gearing up for a rematch with Sean O’Malley at UFC 316, and he’s making it clear that this isn’t just another fight for him, it’s a chance to cement his legacy and maybe have a little fun along the way. Their first meeting was a chess match, with Merab walking away the winner, but he knows O’Malley is coming back with a few new tricks up his sleeve.
Merab Dvalishvili Sets Sights on Legacy in UFC 316 Rematch
“It’s my first rematch, and I feel very relaxed. I was relaxed in the first fight, but now I don’t want to be relaxed, because now I know Sean will change his game plan and he will make some big adjustments,” Merab said, in an interview with the UFC. “I’m relaxed, but I’m telling myself, ‘You got to be motivated. You got to be more hungry than what I was in the first fight.’”
For Merab Dvalishvili, every fight is a step toward building something bigger than just a record. “For me, it’s more legacy. Every fight is important. I’m excited for this rematch just for the fight, you know? I want to try to finish him. I want to try to strike. I want to try different things, and I know Sean will change his plan. Like he’s saying, he’s going to be 70% better version, and I want to see this. I want to test this.”
Merab Dvalishvili Opens Up About Motivation Struggles Ahead of Second Sean O’Malley Clash
But even a fighter as driven as Merab admits that running it back with the same opponent can be a strange experience. The Georgian athlete explained:
“This rematch is a little bit weird because it’s hard to motivate myself, you know, I’m fighting the same guy. But I know this guy will be more dangerous now. First fight, I had a game plan; I knew it was going to work against him. Now, I don’t know what game plan he will have, but I’m guessing he’s going to attack me from the beginning, either striking or body kicks.”
As for his relationship with O’Malley, Merab keeps it honest. “I always liked him, and I always respected him as a fighter. When I see him, how he won, how he got in UFC, he was already a superstar. Of course, I like him as a fighter, as an interesting individual. But I also want to fight him. He was ignoring me, and I started chasing him and making fun of him. But of course, I stole his jacket… he deserved that.”
With UFC 316 on the horizon, Merab Dvalishvili isn’t just looking to repeat his last performance. He’s looking to raise the stakes, test a new and improved Sean O’Malley.
