Sean O’Malley started 2024 off to become the next Conor McGregor. All that seems to have faded after his disappointing loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306. O’Malley could not keep up with the pace of Dvalishvili, as he couldn’t keep the fight standing. This led to his unanimous decision loss at the Sphere and invited much criticism over his performance.
One such harsh critique was that of UFC legend Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson. Rampage believed O’Malley never looked confident in the lead-up to his title defense against Dvalishvili. He referenced many questionable moments in the lead-up to the UFC 306 fight. One of which included Dvalishvili repeatedly calling out O’Malley.
I feel like Sean O’Malley never wanted to fight Merab and Merab made that fight happen right. With his trolling on the internet and stuff like that. You can see it in his (O’Malley) face.
UFC legend Rampage Jackson via JAXXON PODCAST
Merab Dvalishvili was riding on a 10-fight win streak before his challenge against bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley. The Georgian fighter has called out O’Malley for years, dating back to his first UFC victory in 2018. To top it off, Dvalishvili stole his jacket at UFC 288 when Aljamain Sterling called out Suga after his decision win over Henry Cejudo.
Rampage Jackson believed Dvalishvili had to use the skits and trolling to get the title shot. Fans believe O’Malley did not look any confident during the UFC pressers, weigh-ins, and final face-offs as compared to Dvailshvili. However, former UFC bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw believes O’Malley had the right arsenal for his gunfight against the Georgian.
TJ Dillashaw reacts to Sean O’Malley’s title loss against Merab Dvalishvili
Former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw had a few words to say after O’Malley’s poor performance at UFC 306. Dillashaw has seen the highest of highs and the lowest of lows as he’s defended and lost his title in rivalry fights. His iconic title fights against Cody Garbrandt and quick loss to the flyweight champion ‘Triple C’ Henry Cejudo are well renowned.
TJ Dillashaw believes Sean O’Malley had the right skillset to beat Merab Dvalishvili (via Imago/X)Dillashaw believes O’Malley had the right skills to beat Dvalishvili but didn’t use them. O’Malley looked like a shadow of himself in the fight. He barely threw his kicks, which are usually very effective.
Suga did not feint and throw enough punches, which could’ve kept Dvalishvili at bay and more cautious to launch takedowns. Dillashaw pointed out the technicalities that could’ve saved O’Malley.
O’Malley has got the skills to beat this guy though he, unfortunately did not use them. He could feint to freeze him. He gotta hit his sprint crosses, get outside his shoulders so the takedowns not there.
TJ Dillashaw via JAXXON PODCAST
It is safe to say many fighters backed O’Malley to win with his elite striking and range. However, they remained bamboozled after his performance. O’Malley has now decided to take a long haul before his return to the UFC. A scheduled surgery to fix his injured hip will keep him sidelined. This seems familiar as TJ Dillashaw went under the lights for his shoulder after losing to Aljamain Sterling.
