‘The Sugar Show’ title reign ended at the annual UFC 306 Noche pay-per-view last night. Sean O’Malley faced quite a fadeout upset to a wrestle-heavy Merab Dvalishvili. The UFC has a new bantamweight champion and he goes by ‘The Machine’. Over the course of five rounds, Dvalishvili dominated ‘Suga’ en route to a unanimous victory (48-47, 48-47, 49-46). However, officiating referee Herb Dean had issues with his wrestling game.
Merab Dvalishvili was all over O’Malley for much of the five rounds. His aggressive, pressure-packed attack had O’Malley’s offense on edge, which was pretty thin, to begin with against the similarly proactive ‘Machine’. Red Hawk MMA’s Tim Welch and even his own coach John Wood thought he was too into pre-game camp to match up Sean O’Malley’s speed. But he did, answering with acute takedowns and consistent ground-and-pound blows. Despite consistent inactivity warnings from Herb Dean.
The echo sound of the in-fight officiating comes courtesy of Noche UFC 306 Haptic feedback experience and an array of hidden speakers throughout the LV ‘Sphere’ – nudged commentary correspondent Megan Olivi. Traditionally favoring single-leg snatches, the Georgian went for some straight-on beastly full-body takedowns, along with blows. However, Dean was more than audible urging him not to stay on it too long.
Sean O’Malley, who knew all too all well Dvalishvili working well inside the clinch, also tried not to give his back for long. The fight was as optimally paced as could be for a striker vs. wrestler clash. Even UFC 306 desk commentators Joe Rogan, Jon Anik, and Daniel Cormier voiced their surprise against it. However, Dean’s judgment could be in light of Dvalishvili’s in-fight antics as a flexible takedown artist. All in all, the matter is quite viral.
Top reactions from fans to Herb Dean’s judgment
Merab Dvalishvili is a Judo black belt with multiple Sambo championships. His offensive wrestling is a perfect answer to Sean O’Malley’s speed and shot selection. The Serra-Longo Fight Team Orthodox also seems to be as strong inside the clinch, with variated looks and levels and working well from bodylock. Hence, it’s a given that he won’t be lazy on the wrestling. With how MMA unified rules favor flashy exchanges over ground games though, things can get snoozy.
Herb Dean provokes the MMA community by pushing to ‘work’ at UFC 306 Noche PPV (Source: X/tmz.com)Ask sparring mate Aljamain Sterling. Despite a dominant featherweight debut at the historic UFC 300 PPV, his intelligent wrestling was billed as boring. Working stateside, the Serra-Longo standout has also mastered his striking and double-leg works under Ray Longo. So Dvalishvili is anything but boring.
However, Herb Dean urging more output from him atop the UFC 306 pay-per-view (PPV) feature event last night could just be a precaution. Maybe they all do; the annual Noche haptic treatment just made it more audible this time. However, it has garnered much attention from fans and pundits.
*Merab lands 10 punches
Herb Dean: you gotta work Merab
— Super Fan🇮🇪 (@McGregorRousey2) September 15, 2024
Rogan went from “Herb Dean is the best ref in the game” to “what is Herb Dean talking about” real quick
— King Typo (@BoxingBusch) September 15, 2024
I’m not kidding when I say that Herb Dean needs to be investigated after tonight #UFC306
— EK (@EdwardsKim) September 15, 2024
When I was in the referee course I don’t remember spending too much time on it but when they referenced “excessive coaching” it was in regard to corner positions (remaining both in and seated in your corner) and protocol (following how many corners allowed between rounds, etc.).
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) September 15, 2024
Herb Dean influenced that final round WAY TOO MUCH for my liking. That said, 50-45 Merab for me. Clean sweep. Machine-like against O’Malley. #UFC306
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) September 15, 2024
Dean’s early fight officiating echoing so much more attracted “greatest of all” labels from fight G.O.A.T. veteran Demetrious Johnson and Derek Brunson, among others. However, his last frame of micromanagement wasn’t to some people’s liking. A popular reaction (@unbiasedbox) also called to ‘fire’ Herb Dean for urging any or either of them to work harder.
Pioneer gangster and ex-BMF Jorge Masvidal also doubled down on his thoughts about the referee. Spot decision and criticism are the crux to refereeing as wrestling is to Dvalishvili. Hence, as such, this will remain a hot topic for a moment.
