Preview: UFC 311: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley preview - prediction, tale of the tape, career records

For the 11th time, the Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to Newark, New Jersey, this weekend, with the headline bout seeing Merab Dvalishvili taking on Sean O’Malley for the UFC bantamweight title. 

The co-main event sees reigning women’s bantamweight champion Julianna Pena take on Kayla Harrison, while earlier in the night, former Bellator bantamweight champion Patchy Mix squares off against Mario Bautista. 

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley 2 preview

The UFC bantamweight division has experienced a remarkable level of turnover since 2012, with 10 different fighters, including legends Dominick Cruz and Aljamain Sterling, holding the undisputed title.

However, Merab Dvalishvili is certainly building a strong case to be considered the greatest bantamweight in UFC history, and a few more victories, starting with this weekend’s bout, could solidify his legacy as the best ever. 

The Machine has produced sheer dominance during his current run, racking up 12 straight victories with a streak that includes back-to-back wins over elite fighters such as Marlon Moraes, Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo and Umar Nurmagomedov.

When these two met at UFC 306's main event last September, Dvalishvili looked unstoppable, using his signature grappling dominance to control the fight and claim the title with a clear decision victory.

The Georgian is the UFC's all-time takedown leader, relentless in pace and conditioning, and while not a frequent finisher, with his last stoppage win coming in 2021, he consistently smothers and outworks opponents with remarkable efficiency.

Meanwhile, Sean O’Malley claimed he was not at full strength heading into UFC 306 and underwent hip surgery following the loss, but now says he is fully fit and determined to reclaim the bantamweight title.

However, you get the feeling that this rematch ultimately hinges on whether O’Malley has evolved enough to counter Dvalishvili’s approach, as the Georgian has little reason to alter a strategy that proved so effective in their first encounter.

Suga is a dynamic striker known for his bold confidence and precision-based style, capable of either dismantling opponents or finishing them outright, which is evidenced by his 12 knockouts, including the title-winning stoppage of Aljamain Sterling.

Still, O’Malley will need to do more than throw haymakers to overcome this relentless version of Dvalishvili - he will have to consider creating scrambles and be better prepared to wrestle his way out of tough positions if he is to beat the champ.

Tale of the tape

Merab Dvalishvili

AGE: 34

NICKNAME: "The Machine"

HEIGHT: 5ft 6ins

REACH: 68ins

STANCE: Orthodox

TRAINER: Ray Longo and Matt Serra

FIGHTS: 23

WINS: 19

DRAWS: 0

DEFEATS: 4

LAST FIGHT: Decision (unanimous) vs. Umar Nurmagomedov (January 2025)

Sean O'Malley

AGE: 30

NICKNAME: "Suga"

HEIGHT: 5ft 11ins

REACH: 72ins

STANCE: Orthodox

TRAINER: Tim Welch

FIGHTS: 21

WINS: 18

DRAWS: 0

DEFEATS: 2

NO CONTEST: 1

LAST FIGHT: Decision (unanimous) vs. Merab Dvalishvili (September 2024)

Career records

Merab Dvalishvili

Rank: Champion

Total: 23

Wins: 19

By knockout: 3

By submission: 1

By decision: 15

Losses: 4

By knockout: 0

By submission: 1

By decision: 3

Sean O'Malley

Rank: #1

Total: 21

Wins: 18

By knockout: 12

By submission: 1

By decision: 5

Losses: 2

By knockout: 1

By submission: 0

By decision: 1

No contest: 1

We say: Merab Dvalishvili to win

If Sean O’Malley is the healthiest and best version of himself, as he claims coming into this bout, there is a case to be made that he could be the toughest challenge Dvalishvili has faced to date. 

However, the Georgian is undoubtedly the best in the world at this weight class right now, and we feel he will find a way to withstand the striking power of Suga to get the victory over 25 minutes. 

Written by
Devesh Jaganath

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