Sean O’Malley’s second title protection because the UFC bantamweight champion shall be one to recollect.
The “Sugar Present” takes heart stage towards surging high contender Merab Dvalishvili because the featured attraction atop the “one-time ever” Las Vegas Sphere occasion for Noche UFC on Sept. 14. The Mexican Independence Day particular is predicted to be not like something ever seen earlier than as an MMA occasion and the slow-burning rivalry getting the principle occasion slot is simply what O’Malley hoped for.
After profitable a document 10 in a row at bantamweight, Dvalishvili (17-4) lastly will get his crack at UFC gold. Sadly for him, based on O’Malley (18-1, 1 NC), the champion isn’t going to play good and expects an consequence that shortly results in a promotional departure for “The Machine.”
“There’s little beefs in every single place,” O’Malley mentioned on Consider You Me. “On the finish of the day, he’s simply one other opponent. It’s gonna be one other knockout, highlight-reel for the ‘Sugar Present.’ I really feel dangerous for him as a result of he’s been this near the belt for a very long time, and he’s simply not fairly gonna get there, and it’s due to me. So, there’s a bit little bit of guilt there.
“Perhaps I’ll transfer as much as ‘45, and I feel he may take out the division, however to be sincere, I feel I’m gonna make him look silly. I’m gonna make him look beginner, and I don’t understand how for much longer he shall be within the UFC.”
O’Malley made his first protection in a rematch towards Marlon “Chito” Vera at UFC 299 in Might. The unanimous resolution win was a one-sided masterclass of redemption for O’Malley, profitable all 5 rounds on the judges’ scorecards.
Dvalishvili has majorly placed on a dominant effort throughout his profitable streak as effectively, simply along with his sturdy wrestling sport slightly than placing opponents away. He’s teased hanging greater than wrestling with the champion, however nobody, O’Malley included, buys what he’s promoting. Regardless of the route taken by the challenger, “Sugar” sees it ending poorly on this matchup.
“It’s type of a lose-lose for him,” O’Malley mentioned. “Him attempting to wrestle is what’s gonna get him knocked out, but in addition him attempting to strike with me shouldn’t be actually gonna go his approach both. So, it’s type of a sh*t place for Merab to be in having to battle me for the title.
“If I present up Sept. 14 at The Sphere like I did towards ‘Aljo’ (Aljamain Sterling), like I did towards ‘Chito,’ I beat Merab. I’m superb at exhibiting up when the second issues probably the most.”
Bizarre. Dana White defends Jon Jones vs. Stipe Miocic battle: ‘I ought to simply sh*t on Stipe as a result of Jon obtained harm?’
Recap. DWCS Season 8, Week 3 outcomes: 4 fighters obtain contracts, Dana White books a rematch for future episode
Counter. Matt Brown argues ‘if anyone is in charge for fighter pay, it’s the fighters — and I’m one in all them’
BMF. Max Holloway: ‘Lots of people laughed, however we’ll see who will get the final chuckle’ at UFC 308
Clapback. ‘How disrespectful are they?’: Kamaru Usman reacts to UFC followers who say he’s ‘washed’
Limbo. Demetrious Johnson ‘not formally retired’ however says MMA ‘shouldn’t be on my thoughts proper now’
Subsequent. Ex-UFC fighter Mariya Agapova indicators with BKFC
Evaluation. Robert Whittaker: Dricus du Plessis might look ‘like a pub fighter,’ however Alex Pereira going through him at 185 is a nasty concept
Comeback. ‘I used to be seen as only a punching bag’: Marco Tulio returns to DWCS for a second probability to impress
Onward. Igor Severino indicators with Oktagon MMA after UFC launch for biting opponent
Confidence. Joe Rogan defends Jake Paul battle: 58-year-old Mike Tyson ‘can nonetheless knock your head into one other dimension’
Dana White Publish-Contender Collection Scrum.
Younger Sean.
Full fights.
O’Malley’s fantasy manufacturing facility.
Arnold’s meals tour.
Go to Twitter, use the #MorningReport hashtag, or discover one in all my tweets with it, and drop me a jam you’re at present actually into. I’ll choose one of the best one alongside my each day selection and offer you a shoutout! It’s also possible to share within the feedback beneath — these are simply tougher to sift by typically!
This month’s full playlist:
Bionic Bisping.
At it once more.
Smiles.
Shade.
Changes…
Ankalaev isn’t impressed.
Someone really want to talk with this man Jiri, his document is 4-2 within the UFC, many guys within the high 25 would beat him he’s not this good
— Magomed Ankalaev (@AnkalaevM) August 27, 2024
Your Tuesday highlights.
Jonathan Pearce (14-6) vs. Pat Sabatini (18-5); UFC Vegas 98, Oct. 12
Brad Katona (14-3) vs. Jean Matsumoto (15-0); UFC Vegas 99, Oct. 19
Myktybek Orolbai (13-1-1) vs. Mateusz Rębecki (19-2); UFC 308, Oct. 26
Mike Malott (10-2-1) vs. Trevin Giles (16-6); UFC Edmonton, Nov. 2
Nikita Krylov (30-9) vs. Azamat Murzakanov (14-0); UFC 309, Nov. 16
Tracy Cortez (11-2) vs. Miranda Maverick (14-5); UFC Tampa, Dec. 4
I feel with O’Malley vs. Merab it’s very doubtless it is going to be one-sided in both course. Not anticipating an all-out prompt traditional in that one however I hope I’m improper.
Thanks for studying!
Ballot
Will Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili go the space?
In the event you discover one thing you’d prefer to see within the Morning Report, hit up @DrakeRiggs_ on Twitter and let him learn about it. Additionally, observe MMAFighting on Instagram and like us on Fb.
