In a highly anticipated rematch, Georgia’s Merab Dvalishvili showcased complete dominance over Sean O’Malley, forcing the American to tap out in the third round of UFC 316’s main event. This wasn’t just a title defense—it was a resounding statement. A new chapter begins, led by “The Machine.”
Fight Breakdown:
Round One: O’Malley tried to play it cool and strategic, looking to pick his shots. But Dvalishvili, clearly prepared for every move, took him down early and landed heavy ground-and-pound, setting the tone for the rest of the fight.
Round Two: As expected, Dvalishvili dictated the pace, smothering O’Malley with pressure and disrupting his striking rhythm. The American had no answer, visibly frustrated by the relentless approach.
What a finish by Merab #UFC316 pic.twitter.com/e4wwmgb2hr
— KOOSH⚡ (@nftkoosh) June 8, 2025
Round Three: A perfectly executed takedown left O’Malley on his back again. After fending off an initial choke attempt, the second submission came with no escape. “Suga” tapped. A statement win for Dvalishvili.
🔥 An unbelievable cardio bully… Can he repeat his feat again against a different opponent?#UFC316
🔥 متنمّر بكارديو لا يُصدّق… هل يقدر على تكرار الإنجاز مرة أخرى أمام خصم مختلف؟#UFC316 pic.twitter.com/UvugJAVq1O
— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) June 8, 2025
Open Questions:
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Has O’Malley reached his tactical ceiling against top-tier grapplers?
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Is the bantamweight division now a battlefield dominated by cardio and physicality rather than finesse?
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What can Cory Sandhagen realistically bring to the table against this kind of control?
Merab Dvalishvili on a potential fight with Umar Nurmagomedov:
"I'm ready for whoever the UFC picks — as long as my respect isn’t compromised#Nurmagomedovميراب دفاليشفيلي عن نزال محتمل مع عمر نورمحمدوف:
"أنا جاهز لأي خصم تختاره المنظمة، لكن بشرط واحد: لا تقبلوا المساس باحترامي pic.twitter.com/uIRxFHc6Yp— mmamag.ma (@jamalsoussi10) June 8, 2025
With a record now at 20-4, Dvalishvili defends his title for the second time, following his earlier win over Umar Nurmagomedov. Wasting no time, he called out #4 contender Cory Sandhagen for what could be his next conquest.
