NEWARK, N.J. — Merab Dvalishvili put one heck of a stamp on a two-fight rivalry with Sean O’Malley on Saturday evening, dominating the challenger in a third-round submission victory at UFC 316 inside Prudential Middle.
Dvalishvili (20-4) took the 135-pound championship from O’Malley (18-3) in a unanimous resolution at UFC Noche in September, in a combat that was aggressive however a transparent victory for him. The rematch Saturday was not shut. Dvalishvili pushed O’Malley backward and outlanded him on the toes by way of two rounds, then submitted him through D’Arce choke at 4:42 of the third.
The victory marked Dvalishvili’s thirteenth in a row, tied for the fourth-longest streak in UFC historical past. It tied him for the fourth-most wins in bantamweight historical past at 12.
“I simply work each day and repeat,” Dvalishvili stated. “Coaching is primary for me. Afterwards, I can hang around, take pleasure in with associates, go to church, search for a spouse, no matter.”
O’Malley, who underwent hip surgical procedure and made a number of important life adjustments forward of the rematch, accepted the loss with grace — which is all he actually may do.
Dvalishvili regarded unstoppable from the beginning. Based on UFC Stats he outlanded O’Malley 135-34 in complete strikes. He transformed 5 of 12 takedowns and collected over six minutes of management time.
Dvalishvili recorded his third title protection. The second got here towards Umar Nurmagomedov, cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, in January. He’s anticipated to face No. 1 contender Cory Sandhagen subsequent.
