UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili successfully retained his title with a dominant third-round submission win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 316. The fight saw Dvalishvili employ the same aggressive strategy that worked in their first bout, applying constant pressure and taking down O’Malley to earn a decisive lead.
The second round featured more striking, but Dvalishvili continued to press his advantage, forcing O’Malley onto his back foot with volume and countering many of his opponent’s attacks. As the fight wore on, O’Malley’s defense weakened, allowing Dvalishvili to secure the submission victory.
Dvalishvili now boasts a 2-0 record against O’Malley, solidifying their rivalry. With his title reign secured, the Georgian fighter is likely to focus on building his case as one of the all-time great bantamweights, with potential future bouts against Cory Sandhagen or rematches pending.
In contrast to some champions who may look to move up a weight class, Dvalishvili has stated he has no interest in fighting at featherweight. With several notable wins already under his belt, including victories over Henry Cejudo and Petr Yan, Dvalishvili appears well-positioned to continue his dominance in the bantamweight division.
Source: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25203289-merab-dvalishvili-submits-sean-omalley-retain-bantamweight-title-ufc-316