Merab Dvalishvili possesses a unique capability to dismantle his opponents mentally, often leveraging relentless pressure and exceptional stamina. However, according to his head coach, John Wood, these hallmark attributes weren`t the sole factors behind Sean O`Malley`s unraveling during their rematch at UFC 316.
Building on his decision victory over O`Malley from the previous September, the current UFC bantamweight champion surpassed expectations in the second encounter, securing a decisive third-round finish with a compelling choke. While Dvalishvili`s wrestling and grappling were prominent, Wood believes O`Malley`s resolve began to falter much earlier, even during the stand-up exchanges.
Wood expressed confidence that a knockout was a viable outcome, noting that Dvalishvili landed significant strikes that visibly affected O`Malley. He emphasized that the primary objective is always to win by any means, but highlighted Dvalishvili`s knack for creating finishing opportunities. Wood claimed that in Merab`s last three fights, he saw moments where his opponents seemed mentally broken and less willing to continue, inadvertently opening doors for Merab to capitalize.
Identifying the specific point of breakdown for O`Malley in the rematch, Wood pointed to a pivotal moment when Dvalishvili successfully bypassed O`Malley`s takedown defense. Merab lifted O`Malley cleanly into the air and powerfully slammed him back down onto the canvas in the center of the octagon.
After their first fight, O`Malley attributed his grappling struggles partly to a hip injury, suggesting it hindered his preparation. However, heading into the rematch, he had no such physical limitations. While Wood acknowledged O`Malley`s apparent improvements, he asserted that Dvalishvili`s forceful slam undoubtedly took a significant toll, both physically and mentally, during the fight.
Wood pinpointed the slam as a potential turning point, suggesting it marked the beginning of O`Malley`s demise. He recalled telling Merab throughout training camp that O`Malley would have a quick realization early in the fight – that the experience felt unsettlingly familiar to their first meeting, but worse. This, Wood felt, likely occurred after the first round.
He further elaborated that being hoisted and slammed “like a child” by another man, and the feeling that nothing you attempt is working, inevitably impacts one`s mindset. Wood concluded that Dvalishvili simply “has Sean`s number,” a dynamic sometimes seen in matchups due to clashing styles.
Leading up to the rematch, Wood repeatedly stated his expectation that Dvalishvili would pursue a finish. Consequently, he was unsurprised when the Georgian fighter locked in the third-round choke to secure the victory over O`Malley.
Despite the impressive submission, Wood confidently stated that Dvalishvili is just beginning to showcase his finishing capabilities, predicting that O`Malley is merely the first of many opponents who will experience this. He vowed that more submissions, knockouts, and technical knockouts are coming from Merab.
Wood praised Dvalishvili`s continuous improvement, noting that while O`Malley did show defensive improvements from the first fight, Merab`s adaptability is exceptional. As a coach, Wood focuses on anticipating the opponent`s adjustments and changing their own strategy, timing, and approach accordingly, which he felt worked perfectly in the rematch. He described Merab as a special fighter with great timing and vision who learns and adapts on the fly, even amidst chaos.
With two victories over O`Malley, capped by a finish in the second bout, Dvalishvili is now set to move forward and seek new challenges in the division. Potential contenders like Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista, whom Merab has not yet faced, are likely candidates high on the list.
Given the current landscape in the bantamweight division, Wood anticipates Dvalishvili focusing on fresh opponents, effectively leaving O`Malley in the past. However, he acknowledged that he wouldn`t entirely rule out the UFC`s potential interest in booking a third fight in the future, despite it seeming unlikely in the realm of pure sport.
Wood admitted that a trilogy bout seems improbable in a realistic sense. Yet, he noted that in the UFC`s business model, one impressive win can dramatically alter the situation. If O`Malley achieves a significant knockout victory over his next opponent, public support could quickly resurge. He suggested O`Malley might potentially reference past issues, real or perceived (like the injury claim from the first fight), to build a narrative for a return. A couple more highlight-reel knockouts could put him back in consideration, as the UFC often prioritizes marketable matchups that generate revenue over strict rankings.
Discussing what O`Malley would need to accomplish to warrant a third fight against Dvalishvili, Wood described it as a substantial climb back up the competitive bantamweight ranks. While he doesn`t underestimate O`Malley`s talent, Wood believes the chances of the trilogy happening any time soon are very slim.
Wood doesn`t foresee O`Malley being the immediate top contender for a while, suggesting other fighters are ahead of him. He believes O`Malley would need to navigate a demanding series of opponents (“a murderer`s row”) and defeat them convincingly to justify another shot at Merab. Regarding a potential move to featherweight (145 lbs), Wood noted that those fighters are typically larger. While O`Malley has reach, his frame might not be suited for stacking significant muscle mass, making such a move potentially unwise in the short term.
Wood concluded that O`Malley has viable and winnable fights remaining at bantamweight (135 lbs) that he should pursue. Winning a few more fights there would allow him to reassess his options. Wood acknowledged O`Malley`s undeniable talent and popularity as a fighter people enjoy watching.
Marcus Blakely 
Wesley Dunham