Merab Dvalishvili turned a UFC star in a single day.
The Georgian bantamweight received the UFC title in opposition to Sean O’Malley in a detailed five-round battle in the principle occasion of UFC 306 on Sept. 14, 2024. Dvalishvili received through unanimous determination, getting the nod with 49-46, 48-47, 48-47 scores from the judges.
It was the primary occasion held within the Sphere in Las Vegas. Within the combat, Dvalishvili secured 6 of 15 takedowns within the combat for a 40 % clip. The champion landed 214 strikes in comparison with O’Malley’s 49 strikes within the combat, in keeping with the UFC stats.
Since that night time, Dvalishvili defended his title with a Battle of the Evening efficiency in opposition to Umar Nurmagomedov in the principle occasion of UFC 311 this previous January. Dvalishvili received the combat through unanimous determination – 48-47, 48-47, 49-46.
Dvalishvili will conflict once more with O’Malley in a rematch at UFC 316 on Saturday night time. It will likely be Dvalishvili’s second UFC title protection. This will likely be O’Malley’s first combat since dropping his title.
