Dvalishvili Triumphs Over O’Malley with Second-Round Submission

NEWARK: At UFC 316, held at the Prudential Center on Saturday, Merab Dvalishvili from Georgia successfully defended his UFC bantamweight title. He secured a second-round submission victory against Sean O’Malley.

Throughout the contest, O’Malley displayed notable defensive skills. However, Dvalishvili applied constant pressure, diligently seeking advantageous positions and attempting various submission holds.

Dvalishvili eventually executed a chokehold, compelling O’Malley to tap out at four minutes and 42 seconds into the second round.

The Georgian fighter’s exceptional wrestling skills kept O’Malley on the defensive. Dvalishvili’s dominance made a significant impression, notably on President Trump, who was present at the event.

Following his victory, Dvalishvili voiced his interest in a future match with leading bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen.

“He’s the most deserving guy,” Dvalishvili commented. “He’s been here so many times. He’s a really good guy—respectful—and I like his jokes, too.”

Reflecting on his triumph, Dvalishvili conveyed his pride and thankfulness, declaring himself a world champion and expressing his aspiration to serve as a role model for younger individuals.

“I am on top of the world. I’m a world champion. I come from nothing. I’m so grateful to inspire so many young people by setting an example,” he stated.

When questioned about his remarkable endurance and relentless tempo, Dvalishvili attributed his achievement to dedicated effort, consistent training, and strict discipline.

“It’s just work—every day, repeat, training. Number one for me is to wake up and train. After that, I can hang out, enjoy time with friends, go to church, look for a wife—whatever comes next,” he concluded.

Notably, Dvalishvili’s professional record includes 20 wins and four defeats across 24 fights.