Sean O’Malley hasn’t been very active since losing his bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306. During the fight, O’Malley’s coach, Tim Welch, attempted to throw off Dvalishvili with some mind games, but they had no effect. In fact, ‘The Machine’ grew visibly frustrated by the tactics. However, Welch has recently put the tension to rest by offering high praise for the Georgian fighter, effectively ending the feud from his side.
After winning the title, Dvalishvili took on his toughest challenge yet in his first title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov. Despite the difficult matchup, Dvalishvili came out on top with a dominant performance. His victory earned him widespread praise from around the globe. Among those now recognizing his greatness is O’Malley’s coach. In a recent interview with ESPN, Welch said:
“I don’t really know how you debate that Merab’s not the best of all time. Just look at his record. Has there ever been a bantamweight who’s beaten that many champions in a row? It’s pretty easy to say that Merab is the best bantamweight of all time.”
Sean O'Malley's coach calls Merab Dvalishvili the best bantamweight of all time.
"I don't really know how you debate that Merab's not the best of all time. Just look at his record. Has there ever been a bantamweight who's beaten that many champions in a row? It's pretty easy… pic.twitter.com/XBxFVSOh5C
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) May 20, 2025
Meanwhile, ‘The Machine’ is preparing for his second title defense, and his opponent will be Sean O’Malley. The fight is scheduled for UFC 316 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, USA. This matchup is sure to be thrilling for the fans.
Merab Dvalishvili Vows To Defeat Sean O’Malley Again
Dvalishvili continues to entertain fans with his humor, famously joking about “Jacuzzi time” during the UFC 311 podcast while teasing Umar Nurmagomedov. Ahead of UFC 316, he brought the joke back, this time targeting O’Malley. After their first fight at UFC 306, where Dvalishvili won the title from O’Malley, the two have surprisingly developed a friendly bond. At a recent press conference, Dvalishvili smiled and said,
“I had a good time in the jacuzzi with Sean O’Malley. Hopefully, I’m going to win again and we’re going to spend more time in the jacuzzi.”
"I had a good time in the jacuzzi with Sean O'Malley. Hopefully, I'm going to win again and we're going to spend more time in the jacuzzi." – Merab Dvalishvili pic.twitter.com/ZRg5aayGrG
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) April 11, 2025
Unlike before, the rivalry between Dvalishvili and O’Malley feels more relaxed, and fan interest in the rematch seems lower. Can Dvalishvili defend his belt again like he did in his last title fight? Only time will tell.
Also Read: VIDEO: Merab Dvalishvili Shows His Champion Heart By Helping A Woman Mid-Interview