The tensions between bantamweight stars Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley have spilled over to their respective corners. In the latest chapter, Dvalishvili took aim at O’Malley’s outspoken coach, Tim Welch. This came after a series of recent events unfolded.
The feud traces back to the recently released video of UFC 292 last August. This was when O’Malley pulled off a stunning knockout of Aljamain Sterling to capture the 135-pound title. However, new footage appeared to show Welch attempting to distract Sterling verbally just before the fight-ending sequence. Merab Dvalishvili blasted both O’Malley and Welch on social media over the apparent “cheap trick.”
I will smash O’Malley inside the cage and then smash his coach outside of the cage.
Merab Dvalishvili via X
According to Merab Dvalishvili, Welch’s actions at UFC 292 crossed a line of acceptable sportsmanship. He viewed the coach’s wrong instructions as an underhanded tactic to gain an edge over Sterling unfairly. Coaches talking to opponents isn’t technically against any rules. However, Dvalishvili clearly felt that it violated an unwritten code of the game. He viewed Welch’s antics as the latest example of Sean O’Malley‘s team showing a lack of respect.
I will smash O’Malley inside the cage and then smash his coach outside of the cage .
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) May 8, 2024
Dvalishvili is the current #1 contender and potentially the next in line for the title. A showdown with O’Malley could be on the horizon soon. If that fight gets booked, fans can bet the explosive Georgian will aim to make a statement against both “Suga” and his coach.
The war of words between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley’s camp is escalating rapidly. Dvalishvili recently threatened to “smash” both O’Malley and his outspoken coach, Tim Welch. The latter fired back at Dvalishvili with a cheeky response.
Tim Welch responds to Merab Dvalishvili’s comments (via MMA Fightimg/Instagram)Welch decided to poke the Georgian bear a bit after Dvalishvili’s tweet emerged. O’Malley’s coach trolled Dvalishvili, asking why he was so mad at his comment. He revealed that he had said that Merab’s nose was big. The insult seemed to stem from previous verbal jabs traded between the two sides relating to Dvalishvili’s prominent nose.
Are you that mad I said your nose is big brother?
Tim Welch via X
Are you that mad I said your nose is big brother?
— Tim Welch (@TimwelchMT) May 8, 2024
Of course, O’Malley himself couldn’t resist joining in on the fun. When Welch claimed he called Dvalishvili’s nose “big,” O’Malley corrected him by insisting the description was more along the lines of “8 inches.” At the core of the heated social media exchanges is the growing rivalry between O’Malley and Dvalishvili. With “Suga” the reigning UFC bantamweight king and Dvalishvili the top contender, a title bout between the two seems inevitable.
