- George Chung
- Sep 10, 2024
- 2 min read
Merab Dvalishvili, riding a 10-fight win streak, is set to challenge bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley in the highly anticipated main event of UFC 306 at the Sphere in Las Vegas. For years, the Georgian powerhouse has called out O'Malley, dating back to his first UFC victory in 2018. Now, the time has come for Dvalishvili to prove himself on the grandest stage as he looks to dethrone "Sugar" Sean and claim UFC gold.
Their rivalry started heating up during UFC 288 when Dvalishvili famously swiped O'Malley’s flashy jacket, stirring up a feud that has finally reached its boiling point. Despite O'Malley's stunning knockout of Aljamain Sterling to win the belt, Dvalishvili's confidence has never wavered.
"This is what I've been training for, fighting for the title," Dvalishvili said. "But I'm not just here to fight for the belt—I’m here to win it and do great things with it."
O'Malley's lethal striking, including 10 victories and six KOs in the UFC, make him a formidable champion. However, Dvalishvili, known for his relentless pressure and unmatched cardio, believes O'Malley’s flashy style won’t hold up against his workmanlike approach. "He couldn’t defend his jacket—how’s he going to defend his belt?" Dvalishvili joked, but the message was clear: he’s coming for O'Malley with everything he's got.
Training in Mexico to enhance his boxing ahead of UFC 306, Dvalishvili is ready to deliver a “Mexican-style” performance, pushing forward with relentless pressure until his opponent breaks. "If O'Malley hits me hard, he’s just waking up the animal in me. I'm going to push even harder," he said.
Victory on September 14 would not only mark the crowning moment of Dvalishvili's career but also a historic moment for his home country of Georgia. Following Ilia Topuria’s knockout win over Alexander Volkanovski earlier this year, Dvalishvili aims to become the second Georgian UFC champion in less than a year, a feat that would resonate deeply with his nation.
"For a small country like Georgia, it means everything. It shows that with hard work, anything is possible," Dvalishvili said. "I’m not gifted—I’m just a hard worker. And I want to inspire others with this win."
Catch all the action at UFC 306: O'Malley vs. Dvalishvili on September 14, 2024, live from the Sphere in Las Vegas. The prelims start at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT, with the main card kicking off at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT on PPV.
