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As UFC 306 approaches, all eyes are on the highly anticipated showdown between current Bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley (18-1) and No. 1 contender Merab Dvalishvili (17-4). With the fight just hours away, the tension has escalated, especially after Dvalishvili’s recent viral comments claiming that O’Malley plans to "run" throughout the bout and make it boring.
In an interview with CBS Sports, Dvalishvili didn’t mince words about his expectations. "Sean will run a lot. He will make a boring fight. I have to be the one who steps in and makes it exciting," he said. Reflecting on O’Malley’s victory over Aljamain Sterling, Dvalishvili accused O'Malley of avoiding the fight and relying on a single, lucky punch to secure the win. "He was running, circling with good footwork. He was waiting for one lucky punch. He found one, and Marc Goddard helped him stop the fight early. Now he’s champion," Dvalishvili added.
This isn’t the first time Dvalishvili has made such accusations. His confidence in his ability to dictate the pace and energy of the fight stems from years of rigorous training with elite fighters of all sizes. "I’ve been sparring with champions in different weight classes — big guys, small guys, ladies, and black belts. I’m very comfortable," he noted, expressing that O'Malley's height won’t be a factor. "When you’re tall, it benefits you. But if it mattered so much, the tallest guy would be champion. It’s about what you bring to the fight game. I have better technique and better skills. I’m a better mixed martial artist."
Merab Dvalishvili’s words make it clear he plans to close the distance, apply relentless pressure, and prevent O’Malley from dictating the pace of the fight as he did against Sterling. With both fighters having something to prove — O’Malley looking to silence doubters and Dvalishvili eager to claim UFC gold — this matchup is shaping up to be one of the most intriguing battles in the Bantamweight division.
Will O’Malley’s striking and footwork lead him to another title defense, or will Dvalishvili’s grinding pace and well-rounded skill set dethrone the champion? Tomorrow night, fans will find out who truly belongs at the top of the Bantamweight mountain. One thing is certain: Dvalishvili isn’t backing down from the challenge, and he’s ready to make the fight anything but boring.
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