Merab Dvalishvili`s quick reflexes and sharp instincts proved beneficial not only during his recent championship bout against Sean O`Malley but also in a precarious moment at the very start of his walkout at UFC 316.
As Dvalishvili made his way to the octagon, a chaotic incident unfolded when a barricade positioned at the end of the walkout tunnel gave way. The collapse caused several spectators to fall onto the arena floor, creating a potentially dangerous situation that “The Machine” narrowly avoided.
Remarkably, the dramatic event seemed to have little impact on Dvalishvili. He proceeded to deliver a stellar performance in the main event, securing a dominant third-round submission victory over O`Malley to retain the UFC bantamweight title. This decisive win appears to have firmly settled the rivalry with O`Malley, at least for the foreseeable future.
The victory marked Dvalishvili`s 13th consecutive win, solidifying his impressive run. The 34-year-old fighter initially claimed the title by defeating O`Malley via decision at UFC 306 last September. He successfully defended it again in January 2025 at UFC 311, where he handed Umar Nurmagomedov his first professional loss via unanimous decision in the co-main event. Dvalishvili`s sustained dominance in the division has sparked considerable discussion and debate among fans and analysts regarding his potential status as the greatest bantamweight of all time.
