After TJ Dillashaw, fans were reluctant to hand the bantamweight GOAT title to anyone else. But Merab Dvalishvili’s resume makes a strong case for why he deserves that spot. His recent dominant win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 was nothing short of spectacular. The victory not only earned him a big payday but also sent a clear message to the entire division.
Dvalishvili submitted O’Malley with a ninja choke at 4:42 of Round 3 at UFC 316. According to SportySalaries, “The Machine” secured a guaranteed $800K, and with maximum PPV shares, his total earnings could reach $2.2 million. On the other hand, ‘Suga’ O’Malley made a guaranteed $1 million, potentially matching Dvalishvili’s $2.2 million with PPV revenue.
Dvalishvili also took home a $50K Performance of the Night bonus, alongside Kayla Harrison, Kevin Holland, and Yoo Joo-san. The main card delivered thrilling action, but O’Malley’s disappointing performance left his fans frustrated and raised questions about his future in the UFC.
Merab Dvalishvili Rejects GOAT Talks After Defeating Sean O’Malley At UFC 316
After Dvalishvili defeated Umar Nurmagomedov, fans began calling him the bantamweight GOAT. But following his submission win over O’Malley via a ninja choke at 4:42 of Round 3 at UFC 316, Dvalishvili made it clear he doesn’t see himself as the greatest. Speaking at the post-fight press conference, he credited his longtime teammate Aljamain Sterling as his personal pick. And he said:
“That’s up to you guys to say that, if I’m there or not. Aljamain Sterling used to beat me, still beats me (in the gym). How many wins do you have Aljo in the UFC? 20-something wins in the UFC. He beat a lot of good guys. He is the GOAT.”
Meanwhile, fans witnessed a thrilling main event at UFC 316, where the Georgian fighter showed exactly why he’s the best in the division. On the other hand, ‘Suga’ now finds himself needing to regroup and fight his way back to the title.
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Also Read: “Retire”: Sean O’Malley’s Future In Question As UFC Fans React To Back-to-Back Losses
