Sean O’Malley has overturned the title win of Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306. That might not mean much to the oddsmakers, matchmakers, or even UFC CEO Dana White. But it does mean that ‘Suga’ is somewhere between stages 1-3 of dealing with his bantamweight title loss. The former 135-champ dealt somewhere in between denial/bargaining, and the funnyman Gerogian has an answer for that!
This week began with Sean O’Malley’s psyche loading the UFC 306 Pay-per-view loss with emo skits and media podcasts. Then he’d go on to joke that his ‘Suga Show’ Athletic Commission has deemed this a win. Hence, much like his injury fadeout to Marlon Vera, this was no proper loss. He even made a tribute to his belt at his fantasy factory MMA facility for his pink Lambo and Lowrider. However, ‘Suga’ switched it up in just the next video:
Rewatching the fight, …Round 1, I won that round 100%!! Based on damage that’s my round. Round 2 definitely lost. Took very little damage though. Round 3 was closer than Round 1 in my opinion. My round. Up 2-1 going into Round 4.
Sean O’Malley via X (@SugaSeanMMA)
After his X-Space rant, Sean O’Malley proclaimed he’d defend against No. 2-ranked title contender Umar Nurmagomedov. Nurmagomedov is in the running as the clear No. 1 top contender for Dvalishvili’s gold. Despite some resistance, he and manager Ali Abdelaziz also nudge that these neo-popular skits are part of what makes these superstars famous. He is even willing to give O’Malley a chance off a title loss. However, Merab Dvalishvili had his own take.
What’s wrong with you, bro? Why do you keep smoking, my friend? …I thought you were just sleeping now, it’s sleep time for you, bro. Listen, son. Don’t worry about this Umar Nurmagomedov. I will take care of Umar. You’re not a champion any more, and I’m going to take belt from you again, so you drive safe, son. Let’s go, Sean. No more smoke, no more smoke.
Merab Dvalishvili via X (@MerabDvalishvil)
Merab Dvalishvili quickly responded to Suga’s video with one of his own: “It’s hard to be a dad“. Pressuring him with 10.03 of ground control and six takedowns, ‘The Machine’ had added insult to injury. During one of R2 cage-side chokes, he even smooched up O’Malley’s neck a few times! He again finished the reel by teeing the O’Malley doll several kisses on the head and taking his belt. The tease has gone quite viral.
Fight fans react to Merab Dvalishvili’s new skit
O’Malley’s social media branding and personality are equal parts combatant and funnyman fighter. Now that persona takes over to keep things light and fun until the 29-year-old returns in mid-2025. ‘Suga’ is to go under the knife on October 3rd for his left pelvic labrum (hip joint). Along with the UFC 306 PPV mandatory clinical suspensions, it may be a while.
Fans respond to Merab Dvalishvili’s sketch drop (Source: X/express.co.uk)Sean O’Malley is no stranger to disputing his defeats and is once again calling on the Suga State Athletic Commission to overturn his 49-46, 48-47, 48-47 unanimous loss. He posted a series of tweets earlier this week disputing the scoring. Now, the Team MMA LAB fighter takes it up a notch, overturning his “goodbye, belt” tribute with an overturn!
Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) has had his own streak of skits going before this Saturday’s headliner. ‘Machine’ made skits about warning O’Malley of his cardio not matching up, which went immensely viral. His skits with pseudo-Sean were also a notch in the MMA clique. Here’s what fans think of his latest one.
Getting 10-8’d inside and outside the octagon is crazy work 😭🙏🏾
— Kenny Okoye🇳🇬 (@TruthfulUfcFan) September 20, 2024
10-7 round with this vid 😂
— ⚡️𝔸𝕕𝕠𝕟𝕚𝕤𝕏𝟜𝟚⚡️ (@as_cybersamurai) September 20, 2024
Even much before UFC 306, “Sweet as Suga” Sean O’Malley has used ‘Superstar’ by Lupe Fiasco as his walkout tunes. The fact that “daddy” Dvalishvili would own him with his tunes and blow him kisses again is just utter domination! Most fans have reacted as such. The O’Malley doll even had his own RC pink Lamborghini!
Many have also lauded him both in and outside the ring. Some have referred to the ‘Suga’ circle breaking down in the psyche after the loss. All in all, Dvalishvili just upped the stakes; he is here to stay and he’ll defend what’s his – by skitdowns or beatdowns.
