Merab Dvalishvili scored the biggest win of his career on last night’s UFC 306 Noche card. He dominated Sean O’Malley for five rounds to capture the UFC 135-pound gold. As the fighter out of Georgia said in his post-fight speech – O’Malley is quite the superstar. But he just made him a tad bit more normal with his eccentric domination… And the fans out of his nation are here for it!
Ahead of his title bout, Giorgi Kokiashvili (@iHeartGeorgius1) of Setanta Sports posted a video of Georgians taking to the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, at 7 am to watch him fight. When Merab Dvalishvili broke down in joy and disbelief to the veteran sounds of “And New“, some 10,000+ fans reveled on the street. The fighter was out on the jumbotron by the end of the night, receiving his new strap.
Dvalishvili finally took the bantamweight helm at the Noche UFC 306 PPV headliner. The Serra-Longo Fight Team sambo man started his UFC run on a 0-2 draught. However, he closed out the promotion’s historic debut event with a winning streak of 11 consecutive fights courtesy of a unanimous nod. Sean O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) meanwhile, succumbed to his second loss.
This is Tbilisi, Georgia right now. It’s 7AM. People are in the streets, city is totally paralyzed and Georgian fans are waiting Merab Dvalishvili’s Championship fight against Sean O’Malley. CRAZY SCENES! 🇬🇪
🎥 Setanta Sports #UFC306 | #NocheUFC pic.twitter.com/uSPMFoTx08
— Giorgi Kokiashvili 🇬🇪 (@iHeartGeorgius1) September 15, 2024
This is how Georgian fans celebrated Merab Dvalishvili’s Championship victory over Sean O’Malley in the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia 🇬🇪
7AM, more than 10’000 people, paralyzed streets, total joy and unforgettable emotions! 😭❤
🎥 Setanta Sports#UFC306 | #NocheUFC |… pic.twitter.com/fVk5fnERf4
— Giorgi Kokiashvili 🇬🇪 (@iHeartGeorgius1) September 15, 2024
It’s always amazing to see a country rally behind a fighter — it’s even more amazing to see them empathetic to wins. Georgia now has two champions, both capturing championship gold this calendar year. Alicante-Georgian Ilia Topuria won gold at the Anaheim UFC 298 PPV in February. Now, its close friend Dvalishvili on the rise. Subsequently, it’s not just his fans who have reacted to his win.
UFC 306: MMA Pro Twitter reacts to Merab Dvalishvili’s win
Throughout five rounds, Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) dominated Sean O’Malley at the Noche UFC 306 top bill. He took him down, knee-tucked, and battered away to a unanimous triumph (48-47, 48-47, 49-46) to earn title gold. It had similar shades to the double-branded Noche feature co-mains. All-time dominant standout Valentina Shevchenko also won gold in a lopsided domination over Alexa Grasso.
Merab Dvalishvili’s Noche UFC 306 title win against Sean O’Malley draws reaction (Source: es,agfight.com)Merab Dvalishvili was draped all over the champ for almost five rounds, teeing away bit by bit. With a machination worth of gas tank, ‘The Machine’ employed quite a pressure-creating wrestle pocket to dominate ‘Suga’.
His cardio and pace once again reinforced his justifiable nickname. O’Malley had a competitive third frame and a 5th one due to a body shot and part striking. But Dvalishvili just proved way better. Check below for the top ‘X’ rated MMA reactions from pundits and peers.
Easy takedowns for Merab on his first attempts. Not sure why he kept playing with fire trying to stand, with how easy those were.
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) September 15, 2024
That glove grab is a sign of frustration. This is not looking good for O’Malley right now! #UFCNoche
— The Thugjitsu Master (@thugjitsumaster) September 15, 2024
Sean needs to go for broke early or it’s all over! Merab is only getting stronger
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 15, 2024
One-sided round for Merab and dominated in the strikes. Absorbed one from O’Malley and took him down to shut down O’Malley for majority of the round
40-36 Dvalishvili
— John Pollock (@iamjohnpollock) September 15, 2024
This is one of the worst performances UFC title fight history. O’Malley can’t do anything. Merab has barely broken a sweat.
— FightOracle ™ (@fightoracle) September 15, 2024
Merab is fighting very smart so far. He is using forward pressure like always, however the feints and the kicks to set up his boxing is connecting him to the takedowns on Omally, and he’s holding him down very well also. Very smart tactics for Merab #UFCNoche
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) September 15, 2024
Most have lauded ‘Mean Machine’ Dvalishvili over the one-sided domination. The frustration, lack of takedown defense tactics, and the whole blowout were quite evident for all. Consequently, given this happened, the following also happened.
Over promised under delivered. Sorry. Love you guys.
— Sean O’Malley (@SugaSeanMMA) September 15, 2024
Henry Cejudo, Ben Askren, and Derek Brunson, as well as other industry standouts, had some similar inputs. 2024 ESPY for Best UFC Fighter Award recipient ended the ‘Suga Show’ after a maiden defense; O’Malley himself also had quite a humbling reaction to it all. Dvalishvili’s win accordingly will be one for history and another win for Georgia. Roman Dolidze and Guram Kutateladze next? Unlikely; perhaps maybe. Time will tell.
