LAS VEGAS – Sean O’Malley, one of many UFC’s greatest stars, misplaced his belt this previous Saturday towards Merab Dvalishvili.
The UFC bantamweight title modified arms in the primary occasion of UFC 306, as Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) dominated O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) to win a unanimous decision. Though Dvlashvili was a formidable risk on paper, UFC CEO Dana White didn’t assume O’Malley appeared himself at Noche UFC.
“He appeared flat. He didn’t look sharp. He didn’t look crisp till the final spherical,” White mentioned on the UFC 306 post-fight press convention. “He harm him with that physique shot. He knew he harm him with the physique shot and stored going, making an attempt to complete. I appeared on the punch stats and there have been like six in a few rounds.”
White isn’t positive what occurred with O’Malley, past Dvalishvili placing on a powerful efficiency. When requested if perhaps the magnitude of the occasion obtained to him, White was fast to close down that principle.
“I don’t know the reply to that query, however I feel he’s a type of children that lives for moments like this,” White mentioned. “That is what he’s about. He’s that man. I don’t know if he simply obtained in there tonight and felt flat. Some nights, it’s simply is what it’s.”
There have been just a few unusual moments in the primary occasion title battle. For starters, Dvalishvili was warned by the referee and had the battle halted for arguing mid-fight with O’Malley’s nook. Dvalishvili additionally appeared to kiss O’Malley’s again after which stroll away with just a few seconds remaining of the battle, which allowed O’Malley to swing at him from behind.
White thought it was an odd battle all-together.
“Merab and O’Malley’s nook have been screaming at one another the entire starting of the battle,” White mentioned. “They have been yelling at one another backwards and forwards, and herb dean stepped in and instructed them to knock it off. Then the kiss on the again and stepping away earlier than the bell, that I don’t know. Merab does some sh*t. It was bizarre, however not surprising.”
For extra on the cardboard, go to MMA Junkie’s occasion hub for UFC 306.
You should definitely go to the MMA Junkie Instagram web page and YouTube channel to debate this and extra content material with followers of combined martial arts.
