Sean O’Malley might ‘shoot double-leg’ takedowns, but Merab Dvalishvili believes he can KO the champion

UFC bantamweight title challenger Merab Dvalishvili warns that anything can happen in his upcoming fight against Sean O'Malley at UFC 306.

Sean O’Malley might ‘shoot double-leg’ takedowns, but Merab Dvalishvili believes he can KO the champion

Merab Dvalishvili talks about takedown game of Sean O'Malley (Image via Imago/YouTube)

Merab Dvalishvili is ready to take a versatile approach for his upcoming fight against Sean O’Malley at UFC 306. Known primarily for his dominant wrestling and unmatched cardio, Dvalishvili emphasized that this bout will not simply be a classic “striker vs. grappler” matchup. Here is what happened:

Sean O’Malley is recognized as an elite striker. However, Dvalishvili is not limiting his opponent to just that skill set. He acknowledged that O’Malley has respectable jiu-jitsu and could pose a threat in wrestling exchanges as well. Talking about it during his interview with ESPN MMA, Dvalishvili also highlighted his development in striking. The Georgian stressed that fans should not be surprised if he knocks out the bantamweight champion. 

Don't be surprised if I knock him out because it's MMA... Maybe Sean O'Malley shoots a double leg. He has a double leg if he cuts the angle. He shoots takedowns against some people.
Merab Dvalishvili on ESPN MMA

As a fighter, the Georgian feels it is essential to be prepared for any possibility. His wrestling record is impressive. In the past six years, he has won every single fight, lasting the entire five rounds and winning by unanimous decision. However, he has also been in Mexico honing his striking ahead of the UFC 306 showdown. 

Similarly, Sean O’Malley’s grappling skills have shown significant development. ‘Suga’ holds a brown belt in BJJ, awarded by coaches Augusto “Tanqinho” Mendes and Tim Welch in 2021. His grappling prowess is often overshadowed by his striking, but he has proven himself in grappling tournaments, notably submitting Takanori Gomi at Quintet Ultra.

When Merab Dvalishvili KOd Raufeon Stots in 15 seconds to defend his Ring of Combat Bantamweight Championship

One of the most impressive early moments of Merab Dvalishvili’s career happened to be a knockout punch. It was the stage for his rise in the UFC. Merab Dvalishvili’s highlight-reel knockout of Raufeon Stots occurred back in 2017 during a regional MMA bout at Ring of Combat 59.

Merab Dvalishvili knocked out Raufeon Stots in 15 seconds
Merab Dvalishvili knocked out Raufeon Stots in 15 seconds (Image via X)

Dvalishvili landed a stunning spinning back fist just 15 seconds into the first round. This secured him a swift knockout victory. This knockout was pivotal in his career, as it not only allowed him to defend his Ring of Combat bantamweight title but also caught the attention of UFC CEO Dana White. 

White saw the knockout during an episode of “Dana White: Lookin’ for a Fight,” which ultimately led to Dvalishvili being signed to the UFC. The Georgian made his UFC debut that same year in December. Although he lost his first two fights, Dvalishvili went on to currently ride a ten-fight winning streak and become one of the top bantamweight contenders in the promotion.