Firebrand fighter Sean O’Malley isn’t holding back as he targets Merab Dvalishvili, friend and teammate of bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. With speculation surrounding a potential title bout between O’Malley and Sterling at UFC 292, O’Malley directs his verbal onslaught toward Dvalishvili, dismissing him as a mere attention seeker.
As O’Malley embraces the opportunity to challenge Sterling, he scoffs at the notion that anyone cares about Dvalishvili’s accomplishments in the sport. O’Malley, known for his charismatic personality, doesn’t mince words when it comes to Dvalishvili.
What happened between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili?
Following their comical encounter inside the Octagon after Sterling’s title defense against Henry Cejudo at UFC 288, O’Malley inadvertently handed his iconic red jacket to Dvalishvili, who has since been parading it around as a gimmick. O’Malley views this as the only thing giving Dvalishvili any sort of recognition while implying that it’s time for him to move on from the fleeting moment of borrowed fame. Despite Dvalishvili’s impressive nine-fight winning streak in the UFC, his close friendship with Sterling has hindered his path to a title shot.
Sean cooked Merab 😭 pic.twitter.com/swk58MSMjs
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) May 30, 2023
Because of their friendship, the Georgian challenger has often voiced his desire in taking on Sterling, opening doors for other challengers like Cejudo and O’Malley to enter the championship race. However, Dvalishvili’s recent hand surgery has forced a change in plans, leading to Cejudo’s shift in focus towards potentially facing O’Malley in an interim title bout at UFC 292 if Sterling’s injuries prevent him from competing.
Can O’Malley break Aljamain Sterling’s winning streak?
As Cejudo angles for a chance to reclaim the spotlight, O’Malley dismisses his calls for an interim title fight as the ramblings of a desperate ex-lover. Comparing Cejudo to an annoying ex-girlfriend, O’Malley remains unfazed by the former dual champion’s attempts to insert himself back into the mix. With unwavering confidence, O’Malley asserts his readiness to face Sterling at UFC 292, regardless of the drama surrounding potential alternative matchups.
Sean O’Malley’s candid remarks towards Merab Dvalishvili inject a dose of spice into the speculation surrounding his potential title bout against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292. By questioning Dvalishvili’s relevance and dismissing Cejudo’s attempts to vie for attention, O’Malley exudes the swagger and confidence that has made him a fan favorite. As the bantamweight division eagerly awaits the showdown between O’Malley and Sterling, the colorful personalities involved continue to captivate the combat sports world, leaving fans hungry for the fireworks that are sure to come.
