“I’m knocking that dude out!” Sean O’Malley backtracks on Ilia Topuria fight after fans call out superstar for skipping Merab Dvalishvili

Sean O'Malley affirms Merab Dvalishvili as his next opponent after backlash from the fanbase.

“I’m knocking that dude out!” Sean O’Malley backtracks on Ilia Topuria fight after fans call out superstar for skipping Merab Dvalishvili

After backlash for calling out Ilia Topuria, Sean O'Malley accepts the matchup with Merab Dvalishvili (via Imago)

Merab Dvalishvili solidified his status as the next title contender with his win over Henry Cejudo at UFC 298. However, the bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley had other fancy plans. He wanted to face the newly crowned featherweight champion Ilia Topuria in a super fight next. However, ‘Suga’ changed his mind after receiving huge criticism for his callout.

In his latest video on YouTube, Sean O’Malley stated he received a lot of ‘pushback’ for his interest in fighting Ilia Topuria. As such, he addressed the fans condemning him for ‘ducking’ Merab Dvalishvili. Here is what he said:

Initially, I was calling for Ilia (Topuria). It excites me, but I also thought the fans would get excited about it. I got a lot of pushback saying, ‘You’re ducking Merab, Merab is next,’ so Merab is next...I’m knocking that dude out. He’s sloppy. I’m accurate. I’m too fast. I’m too sharp. I’m telling you boys: I put Merab’s lights out worse than Aljo. Aljo was a TKO. Merab, I’m putting him to sleep, turning his nose straight.
Sean O’Malley (via YouTube)
YouTube video

Sean O’Malley produced one of the biggest upset wins of 2023 by defeating Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292. Many backed ‘The Funkmaster’ to get it done but, ‘Suga’ shocked the world by TKOing Sterling. As such, he addressed the fans writing him off against Merab Dvalishvili and vowed to shock them once again in their potential matchup.

FS Video

However, Sean O’Malley has business to take care of before imagining a title defense fight with Merab Dvalishvili. He faces the only opponent ever to defeat him, Marlon Vera, at UFC 299. As such, ‘Suga’ remained focused and confident in beating Vera and defending his title. However, he still had plans to challenge Ilia Topuria in the future after beating Merab Dvalishvili and racking up title defenses.

Merab Dvalishvili agrees to serve as a backup fighter for Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera

Meran Dvalishvili extended his win streak to ten after a stellar performance against Henry Cejudo. If he didn’t earn a title shot before, now he did. Even the UFC CEO Dana White praised Dvalishvili’s performance and agreed he was next in line for the 135lbs title. Now, Merab will do whatever it takes, expressed his interest in weighing in as the backup fighter for UFC 299.

Merab Dvalishvili is ready to be a backup fighter for UFC 299: Sean O'Malley vs. Marlon Vera
Merab Dvalishvili is ready to be a backup fighter for UFC 299: Sean O’Malley vs. Marlon Vera (Via X/MMA News)

Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley puts his title on the line against Marlon Vera at UFC 299. So, Merab Dvalishvili volunteered to serve as the backup fighter for the matchup. Although it only gave ‘The Machine’ three weeks to recover from his previous fight, he didn’t want the slightest possibility of fighting for the title slide.

In his latest video, even Sean O’Malley taunted Marlon Vera of pulling out and asked Merab Dvalishvili to back up for him. As such, this matchup has grown among the MMA fanbase, and they looked forward to their clash.

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