Ben Askren is uncertain about Sean O’Malley’s choice to have an immediate rematch with Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316. While Askren acknowledges O’Malley’s potential to win, he questions the timing of this rematch.
Dvalishvili previously defeated O’Malley to win the title at UFC 306 via a unanimous decision in September. Their rematch is scheduled for June 7th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Askren suggests that it would have been more beneficial for O’Malley to face a different opponent with a contrasting style before stepping back into the octagon with the dominant Dvalishvili.
“I kind of think this is a bad move,” Askren commented on the Funky & The Champ podcast with Daniel Cormier. He elaborated that if Dvalishvili defeats O’Malley decisively once again, it could significantly diminish O’Malley’s appeal. Fans might perceive him as unable to overcome Dvalishvili, potentially hindering his chances for a future title shot until there’s a change in champions.
Askren proposed that O’Malley could have instead fought against lower-ranked fighters, particularly those less adept at takedowns. In such matchups, O’Malley’s exciting and diverse striking skills could shine, allowing him to regain momentum and build anticipation for bigger fights. However, with this immediate rematch, Askren believes many fans are likely thinking, “We just witnessed this fight, it wasn’t competitive, so why are we seeing it again?”
O’Malley has stated that he has made significant lifestyle adjustments since his loss to Dvalishvili, including taking a break from social media. He believes these changes have placed him in a much better physical and mental state as he prepares for his fourth UFC championship fight.
Dvalishvili’s successful strategy in their first encounter involved pressure and wrestling. Askren speculates that O’Malley might have benefited from dedicating more time to improving his wrestling defense before agreeing to this rematch.
“I wish Sean would’ve taken some more time to improve his wrestling,” Askren stated, while also recognizing O’Malley’s dynamic striking and knockout power. He concluded by noting Dvalishvili’s impressive and dominant performances in his recent fights.
Marcus Blakely