Merab Dvalishvili becomes UFC bantamweight champion after defeating Sean O’Malley
UFC — Merab Dvalishvili is the new UFC bantamweight champion after defeating Sean O’Malley by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47).
The Georgian challenger showed a great focus in keeping the action on the canvas whenever he was able to get O’Malley to the ground, settling into top position and grinding from there more than he had throughout his 10-fight march to this fight.
The champion landed very little overall and even less of real substance, a far cry from his recent showings, as the threat of the takedown and Dvalishvili’s suffocating top game kept O’Malley off balance.
This was an outstanding tactical performance for the challenger to dethrone the technicolor champion, who continued to stick to what works and fight within himself to reach his ultimate goal. Make it 11 straight for the new champion, who became the second member of the Serra-Longo team to win the bantamweight title.
