Sean O’Malley is determined to deliver an exciting performance in his upcoming rematch with Merab Dvalishvili, regardless of any negativity surrounding the fight.
The UFC has scheduled O’Malley to challenge bantamweight champion Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 316 on June 7 in Newark, New Jersey. This rematch comes after Dvalishvili`s victory over O’Malley last September, where he claimed the title and subsequently defended it against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311. O’Malley has not fought since his defeat.
The decision to grant O’Malley an immediate rematch has been met with criticism from fans, many of whom question the fairness given O’Malley`s loss in their previous encounter. Responding to this criticism on The Ariel Helwani Show, O’Malley`s message to disgruntled fans is simple: if you don’t like it, don’t tune in.
“Don’t watch,” O’Malley stated plainly. “Saturday night, June 7, watch something else if you prefer. Ignore the fight.”
Despite needing surgery for a shoulder injury after their first fight, O’Malley had been vocal about wanting a rematch with Dvalishvili. He clarified that while he expressed his strong desire to avenge his loss to Dvalishvili, with or without the title on the line, he was ultimately agreeable to the UFC`s matchmaking.
“I am thankful to the UFC for arranging the rematch,” O’Malley said. “I didn’t have extensive discussions with them. I just conveyed that this was the only fight that truly interested me. My focus was on facing Merab again and reclaiming victory – the belt was secondary to settling the score with him. The agreement process was quick; it was essentially decided, ‘Alright, let’s make it happen.’”
O’Malley mentioned that his injury hampered his training for their first fight, particularly in preparing for Dvalishvili’s grappling-heavy style. It`s worth noting that O’Malley previously achieved a title opportunity by defeating another skilled grappler, Aljamain Sterling, at UFC 292, though Sterling’s wrestling was not a significant factor in that fight.
Dvalishvili handed O’Malley only the second defeat of his professional career – the first being against Marlon “Chito” Vera. O’Malley emphasized his determination to bounce back from this setback.
“A loss presents two paths,” O’Malley explained. “You can either regress or progress, and my intention is to move forward. While the previous fight’s preparation and execution were not ideal, I believe it will make victory in this rematch even more satisfying. I anticipate being a significant underdog, and many may underestimate my capabilities on June 7. Overcoming these odds will make the win even sweeter.”
“I had a long wait, around three and a half years, to demonstrate that the first fight with Chito was unrepresentative of my abilities. This time, the wait for redemption is much shorter, and I am eager to go out there and achieve a similar turnaround in this rematch with Merab.”
Crucially for O’Malley, he does not believe Dvalishvili decisively outclassed him in their first fight, which reinforces his belief in the validity of an immediate rematch. However, he acknowledges the skepticism surrounding his status as the top contender at this moment.
He intends to use the rematch to prove exactly why he deserves this second chance.
“I don’t think many people have rewatched our last fight intently because it wasn`t particularly exciting to watch,” O’Malley commented. “Upon a second viewing, it’s arguably closer than initially perceived live, but most people haven`t bothered to re-examine it, and their initial opinions remain unchanged.”
“Again, if they are not interested, they are free not to watch. But when I win, I am confident people will rewatch it, or at least the finish, if there is one. It could be a five-round decision, or it could end in a finish; we will see. Ultimately, when that Saturday arrives, it will be a major topic of discussion.”
Marcus Blakely