Merab Dvalishvili delivered a dominating performance on Saturday night, bringing "The Suga Show" to an abrupt halt with a unanimous decision victory over Sean O'Malley to claim the UFC bantamweight title. The bout headlined the Noche UFC event at the cutting-edge Sphere venue, and while it might not have offered the high-octane fireworks fans anticipated, it certainly showcased Dvalishvili's elite grappling and relentless energy.
Dvalishvili's relentless pressure was a problem from the start. Known for his non-stop movement and tenacity, Dvalishvili wasted no time. Just three minutes into the fight, he secured his first takedown, immediately testing O'Malley's ground game. O'Malley, to his credit, fought his way back to his feet, but Dvalishvili's constant pressure made it clear that this would be a long night for the champion.
"I know he's good, but I made him look normal," said an elated Dvalishvili post-fight. "I am the best bantamweight in the UFC." His confidence wasn't misplaced; Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) executed a flawless game plan, using six takedowns and over 10 minutes of control time to stifle O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) at every turn. The Georgian fighter's mastery on the mat left little room for O'Malley to unleash his signature knockout strikes, and in the end, it was a smothering, tactical display from start to finish.
A Different Look for O'Malley
O'Malley entered the octagon riding high. With the 135-pound title firmly around his waist after two successful defenses, "Suga" had momentum, hype, and the crowd on his side. But Dvalishvili was determined to silence all of that. O'Malley managed to land a few clean shots, particularly some front kicks to the body late in the fight, but those moments were fleeting.
Despite the judge’s close scorecards—49-46, 48-47, and 48-47—it was clear that Dvalishvili had control for nearly every minute. His nonstop pressure and quick takedown entries made O’Malley’s usual crisp standup game look ineffective. The Montana native, known for his knockout power and precision, had no answers for Dvalishvili's constant movement and wrestling prowess.
As soon as the second round began, Dvalishvili went right back to work with a beautiful duck-under takedown, pinning O'Malley to the mat and unleashing ground-and-pound. At one point, Dvalishvili even released a guillotine choke, walking away with seconds left in the round—a moment that showed his utter dominance. Though O'Malley tried to capitalize with a few late punches, those small victories were few and far between.
The Struggle to Find a Rhythm
As the rounds progressed, it became apparent that O'Malley was struggling to find his rhythm. His long-range strikes and ability to keep opponents at bay with precision were neutralized by Dvalishvili’s aggressive takedowns and constant pressure. O’Malley had never faced such a suffocating style, and it was a jarring contrast to the way he usually controls fights with his striking.
The only real moment of drama came in the fifth round, when O'Malley landed a front kick to Dvalishvili's midsection. It appeared to hurt the Georgian fighter momentarily, and the crowd—largely in O’Malley’s favor—rallied behind their fighter, hoping for a miracle. But it was too little, too late. Dvalishvili quickly recovered, leaving O'Malley without a chance to land a game-changing strike.
After the fight, O'Malley didn't attend the post-fight press conference. Instead, he took to his X account to address his fans, saying, "Over promised, under delivered. Sorry. Love you guys." It was a rare moment of vulnerability from the brash fighter, whose meteoric rise had led some to believe he was on the verge of superstardom akin to UFC legend Conor McGregor.
The Rise of Dvalishvili
For Dvalishvili, the victory was a long time coming. After losing his first two UFC bouts, the 33-year-old has since torn through the bantamweight division, winning 11 consecutive fights. What’s more impressive is that not a single judge has scored any of those contests in favor of his opponents. He has systematically dismantled the competition, and his victory over O'Malley only solidified his status as the best in the division.
Perhaps most meaningful for Dvalishvili was the fact that his win was also a redemption of sorts for his teammate, former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling. Sterling, knocked out by O'Malley in 2023, had been one of Dvalishvili's closest training partners. Watching his teammate reclaim the belt from the same fighter who had dethroned Sterling just a year ago must have been deeply satisfying for Dvalishvili.
What's Next?
Dvalishvili’s next opponent is already set in stone: undefeated bantamweight phenom Umar Nurmagomedov. Ranked No. 2 in the division, Nurmagomedov will present a fresh challenge for Dvalishvili, but if the Georgian’s recent performances are any indication, he will be ready. Nurmagomedov is known for his wrestling and relentless pace, much like Dvalishvili, so the matchup promises to be a stylistic chess match for MMA fans.
A Night of Spectacle
Beyond the action inside the octagon, UFC President Dana White had promised that the Noche UFC event would be one for the ages—and he wasn’t kidding. The event took place at the newly opened Sphere in Las Vegas, a $2.3 billion state-of-the-art venue with a 160,000-square-foot interior display screen that towered over the fighters. White spared no expense, with the production budget for the event exceeding $20 million.
While some critics felt that the action inside the cage didn’t live up to the spectacle of the event itself, White was quick to defend the production. "You can put up $20 million worth of production, but you can't control the fights," he said. "They are what they are. I cannot let that drive me crazy."
White has always been known for pushing the envelope, especially when it comes to production value. After the event, he hinted at more to come, saying the UFC had only scratched the surface of what’s possible at the Sphere. "You can do more than concerts here," White noted. "You just have to do it right."
In true Dana White fashion, he went on to say that the event could even be in the running for a handful of Emmy Awards due to the innovation and scale of the production.
Wrapping Up
The night was undoubtedly historic for many reasons. Dvalishvili cemented himself as the top bantamweight in the world with a commanding performance, O'Malley’s rise to superstardom hit a roadblock, and the UFC proved once again that they are willing to push the boundaries of what’s possible in combat sports. All eyes will now be on Dvalishvili’s first title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov, as the bantamweight division continues to heat up.
With his relentless pace, seemingly endless cardio, and dominant wrestling, Dvalishvili has put the entire bantamweight division on notice.
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