UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley is ready for war — and he’s got Merab Dvalishvili locked in his sights once again.

With the UFC officially announcing that O’Malley will defend his title against the relentless Georgian contender at UFC 318, “Sugar” wasted no time in setting the tone. In a fiery interview ahead of the blockbuster matchup, O’Malley made his intentions crystal clear:

“Merab is a great fighter, no doubt. But he makes mistakes — and I’m the guy who makes people pay for them.”

 The Champ vs. The Machine: Part 2?

While this will be their first official fight, tensions between the two have been brewing for over a year. Merab has called out O’Malley repeatedly, accusing him of “ducking” real grapplers and demanding his shot after a 10-fight win streak. O’Malley, meanwhile, has taken shots at Dvalishvili’s grinding style, calling it “boring” and “one-dimensional.”

But now, there’s nowhere to run.

“He’s gonna shoot for takedowns over and over — that’s fine,” O’Malley said.
“I’ll time him, I’ll pick him apart, and I’ll make him regret every shot he takes.”

 Strategy vs. Pressure

This fight will be a clash of elite styles:

Sean O’Malley: Creative striking, elite movement, pinpoint accuracy

Merab Dvalishvili: Relentless cardio, suffocating wrestling, nonstop pressure

O’Malley believes that while Merab’s pace overwhelms many fighters, he won’t be one of them.

“He overwhelms guys who don’t know how to handle chaos. I thrive in chaos,” O’Malley said confidently.
“He’s never faced someone with my timing, my vision. I’ll capitalize on every single mistake he makes.”

 Stakes Higher Than Ever

A win for O’Malley would further cement his star power and shut down any remaining doubters who question his ability to handle elite grapplers. For Merab, it’s a chance to finally capture the title that has eluded him — and prove he’s not just the top contender, but the undisputed best in the world.

UFC 318 is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated bantamweight title fights in years. Both men are hungry, both have something to prove, and neither is backing down.

Sean O’Malley is ready to paint another masterpiece — and he believes Merab Dvalishvili will be the canvas.