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UFC 306 saw a seismic shift in the bantamweight division last night, as Merab Dvalishvili dismantled reigning champion Sean O'Malley over five grueling rounds to claim the 135-pound title. Dvalishvili, who came in riding an impressive 10-fight win streak, extended that to 11 with a dominant unanimous decision victory. His wrestling pedigree and relentless pressure were too much for O'Malley, snapping his six-fight win streak and ending his brief title reign.
From the opening bell, it was clear Dvalishvili had one plan: neutralize O'Malley's striking by relentlessly taking him to the ground. Over the course of 25 minutes, "The Machine" did just that. He smothered O'Malley with his world-class wrestling, dictating the pace and leaving the former champ with few opportunities to showcase the flashy striking that had propelled him to stardom. Despite flashes of promise from O'Malley—teasing a sprawl in post-fight pics—the precision and timing of Dvalishvili’s takedowns left "Sugar" without answers.
After the fight, O'Malley took to social media, humbly posting: “Over promised, under delivered. Sorry. Love you guys,” a message reflecting both his disappointment and gratitude towards his fans. It was a bitter loss for O'Malley, who had looked invincible during his recent run, but even the best fall when faced with the relentless grind of a fighter like Dvalishvili.
With this victory, Dvalishvili not only takes home UFC gold but also solidifies his place as one of the most feared men in the division. In defeating O'Malley, he adds another former champion to his hit list, which now includes legends like José Aldo, Petr Yan, and Henry Cejudo. The question on everyone’s mind now is: How long will Dvalishvili reign?
The Georgian fighter’s wrestling-heavy approach and unyielding pace make him a nightmare matchup for anyone in the bantamweight division. His stamina is unmatched, his fight IQ continues to grow, and he's proven he can dominate former champions. Entering the Merab Dvalishvili era, it’s difficult to predict how long this reign will last, but it's clear that he has the skills and the mindset to be a dominant force in the UFC for years to come.
Time will tell if Dvalishvili can continue his tear through the bantamweight ranks, but for now, UFC fans should get used to hearing "And still…" when he steps into the Octagon. Fight.TV will be here to cover every moment of this new championship reign—stay tuned as we witness the rise of one of the most dangerous bantamweights in UFC history!
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