Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has responded to critics of his upcoming struggle towards Merab Dvalishvili.
‘Sugar’ not too long ago signed a deal to face ‘The Machine’ in the principle occasion of UFC 316 in June. The bout shall be a rematch of their prior assembly at The Sphere final September, which noticed Merab Dvalishvili largely dominate the then-bantamweight champion. Put up-fight, Sean O’Malley revealed a litany of accidents that hampered his efficiency, and known as for a rematch. Earlier this month, Dana White granted his want for a second crack at Dvalishvili.
Whereas their first struggle was large, the announcement of their second bout was largely blended. On-line, many followers cried out in regards to the former UFC bantamweight champion receiving an on the spot rematch towards Merab Dvalishvili. Former titleholder Aljamain Sterling even joked in regards to the scenario on X, who was famously denied his personal rematch towards Sean O’Malley regardless of three profitable title defenses.
Nevertheless, the backlash isn’t attending to ‘Sugar’ in any respect. Showing on The Ariel Helwani Present earlier at the moment, Sean O’Malley mentioned his upcoming rematch towards Merab Dvalishvili. There, the longtime UFC journalist requested the previous champion in regards to the aforementioned backlash, and to ship a message to those that really feel he’s undeserving of a title shot.
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Sean O’Malley has a message for the those who suppose he’s undeserving of the rematch towards Merab 👀
“Don’t watch. Saturday evening, June seventh, fucking watch your actuality TV present. Don’t watch the struggle.” pic.twitter.com/zbqLhufehR
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 7, 2025
Sean O’Malley responds to critics of UFC 316 rematch towards Merab Dvalishvili
“Don’t watch. Saturday evening, June seventh, f*cking watch your actuality TV present. Don’t watch the struggle.” Sean O’Malley said to Ariel Helwani, discussing his UFC 316 return towards Merab Dvalishvili. “I do [understand where they’re coming from], one-hundred p.c. My final struggle, I don’t suppose lots of people went and rewatched it. It’s not a type of fights that’s tremendous value rewatching until, I do suppose the second time watching it, it’s a little bit nearer than the primary time you watched it dwell.”
He continued, “However, I don’t suppose many individuals rewatched it or have been occupied with rewatching it. Their opinion goes to form of simply keep the identical. However, once more, in the event that they’re not , don’t watch it. However after I go on the market and win, I assure individuals are going to go and rewatch… On the finish of the day, I believe when that Saturday rolls round, individuals are going to be speaking about it.”
For what it’s value, Sean O’Malley isn’t presently favored to re-win bantamweight gold in June. In line with the opening odds from Fanduel, ‘Sugar’ is presently a +200 betting underdog for his return. In the meantime, Merab Dvalishvili is presently a -265 favourite to retain his UFC title.
What do you make of those feedback from the previous UFC bantamweight champion? Are you excited for Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2?
