Merab Dvalishvili’s latest call-out could’ve had a better reception.
Dvalishvili Pushes For O’Malley Rematch At UFC 309
In an unexpected twist, the new UFC Bantamweight Champion pursued Sean O’Malley, the man he just beat at UFC 306 a few weeks ago, as his next opponent for his first title defense. Dvalishvili pitched the idea to the masses on Friday, expressing his desire to beat O’Malley again, this time on shorter notice than usual at UFC 309 in NYC.
“I hear O’Malley thinks he won the fight and is looking for a rematch. If he wants it he can have it. Let’s do it November 16th at the Garden and then I’ll still defend the title against whoever the UFC wants me to fight next. What do you think? @SugaSeanMMA” Dvalishvili wrote on X.
I hear O’Malley thinks he won the fight and is looking for a rematch. If he wants it he can have it. Let’s do it November 16th at the Garden and then I’ll still defend the title against whoever the UFC wants me to fight next. What do you think? @SugaSeanMMA
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) September 27, 2024
“The Machine” Gets Declined
Having a relatively clear victory over O’Malley and a potential title challenger in Umar Nurmagomedov to worry about, Dvalishvili clamoring for an immediate rematch with O’Malley didn’t boil over with the fans especially since “Suga” is due for surgery on his torn labrum soon.
“Getting surgery Oct 3rd. Fought you with one hip and still beat you. Round 1, 3, 5 . I’m the champ. Fight Umnar,” O’Malley declined Dvalishvili’s request to fight at UFC 309.
Getting surgery Oct 3rd. Fought you with one hip and still beat you. Round 1,3,5 . I’m the champ. Fight Umnar.
— Sean O'Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) September 27, 2024
Nurmagomedov Thinks Dvalishvili’s Running Scared
The undefeated Umar, not Umnar, Nurmagomedov joined in on the conversation as well, as did many of his fans actually, accusing Dvalishvili of ducking the next available contender for what, on paper, is probably an easier stylistic matchup against O’Malley.
“He ready to fight with anyone except Umar Nurmagomedov,” the #2-ranked bantamweight wrote on X.
😂😂😂😂😂
He ready to fight with anyone except Umar Nurmagomedov https://t.co/yCXC9xwGQ0— Umar Nurmagomedov (@UNmgdv) September 27, 2024
Dvalishvili Pins The Blame On O’Malley, Also: “Do You Guys Read?”
After a whole lot of hoopla at 135lbs, Dvalishvili would clear the air, citing the call-out was more so to prove a point against O’Malley while also staying an active champion with Nurmagomedov later down the line. Dvalishvili also stated it was all his former foe’s idea to campaign for the rematch in the first place.
And don’t worry, “The Machine” made sure to print out receipts.
“O’Malley DM’d me this past Tuesday – Push for the rematch. He is so sure he won the fight that I wanna show him I will beat him again and again. I was gonna give him a quick turnaround in NY. I’m not ducking Umar – after the rematch I will fight him or anyone else UFC puts in front of me.
WTF? Do you guys read? Who the f*** is ducking Umar??” Dvalishvili shared a screenshot of “Suga”asking him to ‘push for the rematch’. “O’Malley asked for rematch – I said let’s go quick – Then I will fight whoever the UFC wants up next!”
WTF? Do you guys read? Who the f*** is ducking Umar?? O'Malley asked for rematch – I said let's go quick – Then I will fight whoever the UFC wants up next ! pic.twitter.com/uLDLKtWogI
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) September 27, 2024
