While most UFC fighters chase the belt, Sean O’Malley has a different priority: avenging his loss to Merab Dvalishvili. After losing his title to ‘The Machine,’ O’Malley is focused on redemption rather than reclaiming gold. Ahead of their clash at UFC 316, ‘Suga’ admitted that beating Merab meant more to him than the championship itself. The rematch isn’t just about rankings or legacy; it’s personal. For O’Malley, this fight is about pride, revenge, and proving he’s still elite.
At UFC 306, Merab Dvalishvili shocked the world when he beat Sean O’Malley and took the bantamweight title. He followed it up by defending the belt against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov, who had Team Khabib in his corner. Now, as UFC 316 approaches, Sean O’Malley looks to reclaim what he lost.
But for ‘Suga,’ beating Merab matters more than the title itself. He wants revenge. He already proved his mindset when he avenged his first career loss to Marlon Vera. O’Malley believes in redemption, and this time, he’s coming for both the belt and closure.
“It’s gonna feel better beating Merab rather than getting the belt back. But it is cool when you look back I took the belt from Aljamain Sterling who was the greatest bantamweight of that time. And I’ll take the belt back from Merab who is greatest bantamweight at the time. That’s a movie you can’t make that up,” he said.
🗣️"I want the merab win back rather than I need the belt back."
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) June 5, 2025
(Sean O’Malley is more determined to beat Merab Dvalishvili than to reclaim the belt.)@dc_mma pic.twitter.com/gd0HEPC6dz
Sean O’Malley Says This Time He Did What It Takes To Beat A Fighter Like Merab Dvalishvili
O’Malley said he didn’t do what was necessary to fight someone like Merab Dvalishvili in his last camp; he didn’t wrestle and grapple every day for twelve weeks. He admitted he should’ve done it, but couldn’t at the time. This time, he committed fully. He wrestled, grappled, and trained the way he needed to. He finally put in the preparation that was missing before, and he believes that will make all the difference.
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Indeed, Merab pushes the pace with machine-like cardio and relentless pressure, overwhelming opponents round after round. While O’Malley trained hard and drilled grappling for weeks, he now has to match Merab’s intensity inside the cage. This fight will show whether his new approach can hold up against one of the most relentless forces in the division.
