Khabib Nurmagomedov’s meme-worthy jacuzzi picture recreated as Merab Dvalishvili joins hands with rival Sean O’Malley

Sean O’Malley and UFC 135-pound champion Merab Dvalishvili call for 'Team Khabib'-like tub-truce at UFC PI, ahead of rumored rematch.

Khabib Nurmagomedov’s meme-worthy jacuzzi picture recreated as Merab Dvalishvili joins hands with rival Sean O’Malley

Sean O’Malley and rival Merab Dvalishvili meet under friendly settings at UFC PI, with callback to Team Khabib (Source: IMAGO/X)

Is the UFC PI (Las Vegas) the neutral ground and Mecca of fighting rivalries? No, it isn’t. But it is where rivalries can bloom and end. Current bantamweight champ Merab Dvalishvili called a Hot Tub time machine truce with rival Sean O’Malley. To his point, “Machine” even did a callback to a recent diss to Khabib Nurmagomedov and their jacuzzi affair!

Merab Dvalishvili had a hard time entering UFC PI before his latest title defense. That was because of Team Khabib’s Umar Nurmagomedov, who was already training inside. Dvalishvili has had an outrageous amount of pre-fight banter pointed at the Nurmagomedovs. One of which was that jacuzzi picture as it went quite viral. Now, along with Sean O’Malley and Co., Dvalishvili posed up during tub time!

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Dvalishvili did recently say he wanted to end rivalries after his matches; this was a positive and funny step towards it. The Georgian champion also had a thing going, where things went south fast. He was ready to throw down with O’Malley’s longtime coach, Tim Welch. Dvalishvili has also called up Welch for trying to micromanage his title match-up against “Suga” at UFC 306.

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Sean O’Malley is also eyeing a title rematch with the current champ. Despite a heated lead-up and lopsided decision loss, Suga commented on his striking prowess against Khabib’s cousin. Dvalishvili even poked that he’d use the same striking skills in their rematch. The ex-champ quipped he had a bad hip last, and now he has two functional bottom sets to go with. With them ending this rivalry, a rematch could soon be on the horizon.

Dana White hints at possibility of Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley UFC bantamweight title rematch

O’Malley hasn’t fought since losing his bantamweight strap at UFC 306. “Suga” later told he needed surgery on his hip cartilage (labrum). Merab Dvalishvili, on the other hand, kicked off 2025 with a title defense and is in sound health.

Sean O’Malley might get a chance to fight for title again soon
Sean O’Malley might get a chance to fight for title again soon (Source: X)

With UFC CEO Dana White scouting options for the 135-pound division, this rematch seems like a way to go. DWCS alum Sean O’Malley has always been a good bet. Dvalishvili, too, is keen to run it back, as this is familiar territory for him. White thinks both the fighters and the fans are keeping a good appetite for this matchup in particular.

They want to fight each other, …I think people want to see it.

Dana White to media scrum during UFC Seattle post-fight presser

Despite his neo fandom, many see “The Suga Show” doing nothing out of landing a lucky shot in a 25-minute PPV title rematch. Dvalishvili bagged a dominant decision with 48-47, 48-47, and 49-46 on the judges’ cards. Many also bill that he isn’t that big of a draw and is hardly deserving of it.

Petr Yan remains a name Dvalishvili expressed interest in; “No Mercy” was one of the only few fighters who nulled out his excessive output and TD attempts. Yan also impressed with his striking clinic, trips and charges at UFC Macau, and won over Deiveson Figueiredo. So, he also has momentum and might leapfrog O’Malley for a title shot.

Related: Why Bantamweight is the most exciting UFC weight class right now