“I think people want to see it”: UFC President Dana White teases Merab Dvalishvili vs Sean O’Malley 2.0

UFC President Dana White recently hinted at a major rematch in the bantamweight division, between current champion Merab Dvalishvili and former titleholder Sean O’Malley. While the official confirmation is still awaited, White’s comments at the UFC Seattle post-fight press conference made it clear that both fighters are interested in the bout, and the promotion sees it as a major treat for the fans.


Merab Dvalishvili secured the bantamweight belt from Sean O’Malley in their highly anticipated clash in September 2024 at the UFC’s MSG Sphere event in Las Vegas. The Georgian fighter controlled the fight with his unmatched pace, pressure, and wrestling, securing a unanimous decision victory. Since then, Dvalishvili has successfully defended his title against Umar Nurmagomedov, further solidifying his status as the immovable force at 135 pounds
O’Malley, on the other hand, has not fought since the loss against Dvalishvili, which makes the rematch a crucial one for him. Before his defeat to Dvalishvili, O’Malley had won the title by knocking out Aljamain Sterling in 2023 and successfully defended it once against Marlon “Chito” Vera, avenging the only loss of his career up to that point. The rematch is a chance for him to redeem himself and reclaim the belt, but the challenge will be steep, as Dvalishvili has not lost a fight since 2018
One of the key reasons White is pushing for this rematch is the lack of explicit challengers in the bantamweight division. Having defeated many of the top-ranked contenders, making Dvalishvili face O’Malley for the second time is the most marketable option available. Given O’Malley’s star power, striking ability, and fan-friendly fighting style, the UFC is betting that this rematch will generate significant interest
The bout, if and when it happens, will be a must-win scenario for O’Malley. A second defeat from Dvalishvili could significantly hinder his ability to challenge for the title anytime soon.
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While an official announcement is yet to be made, all signs point towards the rematch becoming a reality soon. If booked, it will be one of the most anticipated fights in the division’s recent history.