In an exciting bantamweight championship rematch, UFC 316 showcased a thrilling showdown between Champion Merab Dvalishvili and former titleholder Sean O'Malley. This highly anticipated fight took place at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on Saturday. The two fighters met again after their first encounter at UFC 306, where Dvalishvili had defeated O'Malley by unanimous decision last September. Dvalishvili aimed to finish O'Malley in their second bout, marking a pivotal moment in their rivalry.
O'Malley entered the Octagon with a point to prove. He had not fought since losing to Dvalishvili, due to undergoing hip surgery. The former champion felt confident that the healing process would allow him to showcase a better version of himself as he looked to settle the score with his adversary.
On the other hand, Dvalishvili was riding an astonishing 12-fight winning streak, his last defeat dating back to April 2018. With such momentum, he was eager to defend his title and prove his dominance in the bantamweight division.
The fight began with O'Malley taking the initiative and applying pressure. He started with an impressive spinning back kick aimed at Dvalishvili's body. While O'Malley circled on the outside, Dvalishvili began to push forward, exchanging blows. O'Malley delivered a right hand to the body, landing his jab effectively until Dvalishvili responded with a left hand. Dvalishvili then initiated a takedown attempt, which O'Malley managed to evade momentarily. They exchanged knees before Dvalishvili connected with a powerful left hand, successfully securing a takedown. However, O'Malley quickly regained his footing before the round ended. MMAWeekly scored the first round 10-9 in favor of Dvalishvili.
As the second round commenced, O'Malley took control of the center, looking to establish his rhythm. Dvalishvili moved forward again, countering with combinations after O'Malley landed shots. O'Malley continued to attack Dvalishvili's body, but he was met with counter punches, illustrating the high stakes of their exchanges. Dvalishvili's effort to grapple was thwarted by O'Malley, who defended the takedown attempts. Despite the back-and-forth action, MMAWeekly awarded the second round 10-9 to Dvalishvili as well.
Entering the third round, Dvalishvili aimed for another takedown, but O'Malley showed tenacity in fending it off. Nevertheless, Dvalishvili managed to lift O'Malley and slam him onto the canvas, asserting control but not delivering significant damage from the top. O'Malley stayed active, trying to control Dvalishvili’s posture while getting back to his knees and eventually to his feet. Dvalishvili maintained pressure, landing knees to O'Malley’s hips, and secured another takedown. As O'Malley attempted to stand again, Dvalishvili delivered short punches while still keeping O'Malley on the ground.
When the moment arose, Dvalishvili locked in a guillotine choke, and despite O'Malley's efforts to escape, he was forced to tap out. The victory solidified Dvalishvili’s status as the bantamweight champion. The official time of the submission win was recorded at 4:42 of the third round.
This rematch not only showcased the skills and determination of both fighters, but it also highlighted Dvalishvili's ability to defend his title and assert his place at the top of the bantamweight division. Fans can look forward to what comes next for both athletes as they continue to navigate the world of mixed martial arts.
