UFC 306 PPV headliners Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili continued their trash-talking at their pre-fight press conference. The annual Noche tribute top bills have traded barbs over barbs. But it never got to the point where they felt the need to get physical with each other. At the tail end before their clash. ‘Suga’ now amped the heat up with stylistic sarcasm.
At Thursday’s press conference, all 20 fighters and CEO Dana White gathered at the parking lot of the LV ‘Sphere’. The same venue hosts Saturday’s UFC 306 Noche pay-per-view event (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPNews, ESPN+). When the live stream of the event began at 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT), media scrum asked O’Malley about landing crossover boxing stints. He said wanting to fight Gervonta Davis, which sparked a clash with ‘The Machine’.
Keep dreaming, keep dreaming, Nobody knock me out yet. Nobody. Keep dreaming, Sean O’Malley. You don’t knock out ‘Chito’ Vera…[Aljo] That was early stoppage!… Come on, that was early. You lucky!
Merab Dvalishvili during Noche UFC 306 presser
O’Malley won gold from Merab Dvalishvili’s friend Aljamain Sterling at the UFC 292 PPV. He became just the second man to finish Sterling in the UFC. The result kickstarted O’Malley’s run, ending the ‘Funk’ and his title reign of three defenses. The Georgian defended his Serra-Longo Fight Team sparring mate, billing it an early stoppage. The ‘Suga Show’ had his sweet reply for that.
I did knock out Aljo though, didn’t I? Didn’t I? …[Sarcastically agreeing about UFC 292] That was lucky as fu*k, …I keep getting lucky, it’s crazy. Every fight, I get lucky. Somehow, some way, I get lucky.
Sean O’Malley replied during Noche UFC 306 presser
O’Malley then subsequently upped the sarcasm for his final response in their verbal exchange. He cut Dvalishvili some slack, saying his lucky streak had continued throughout his UFC competition, resulting in him finishing six opponents in 10 wins. Dvalishvili quipped he did not finish Marlon Vera despite his violent striking. The Georgian also got the last word, touting he won’t be like the others.
Will another win result in crossover boxing for Sean O’Malley?
Crossover boxing stints are not a regular thing in MMA. Matter of fact, Conor Mcgregor is actually the only one to do it with a contractual leeway so far. 135-pound kingpin O’Malley is planning to follow that same blueprint to success, despite some friction with ‘Mac’ as of late.
Both Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili have lot riding on UFC 306 Noche PPV (Source: dailyhive.com/Instagram)‘Suga’ is already a recipient of the 2024 ESPY for Best UFC Fighter Award with his UFC 299 pay-per-view defense. With yet another potential chapter to the one-sided MMA vs. boxing crossover history, Sean O’Malley will leapfrog most names in UFC competition. If O’Malley is correct in that a scathing blow to Merab Dvalishvili will propel him even more, it’s sure to turn heads.
He’ll then be the first to truly finish the Georgian Machine in years at the UFC 306 Noche event. Dvalishvili, who goes into his first title fight having defeated three former champions, has only been finished once in his career. That was a submission loss to Ricky Simon in 2018. His other three pro losses were by decision. If and when that happens, it would promote O’Malley as a true knockout machine.
That could set up some good crossover bout actions with ‘Tank’ Davis and even Ryan Garcia. Both of whom have subsequently engaged with the bantamweight champ. The Georgian is adamant that O’Malley will not be able to finish him off at the UFC 306 Noche event. He is confident that he will leave the Sphere’s first live sporting event as the new champion. Come this weekend, it’s anybody’s game. Luck or no luck, it will open up a lot of doors for the winner.
