Merab Dvalishvili says that one important name played a major role in the successful training camp at UFC 316.
Dvalishvili risked the bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley in Saturday’s rematch. Dvalishvili won £135 in gold from “Suga” in his first encounter. In the rematch, Dvalishvili secured a north-south choke in the third round and kept his gold. It marks O’Malley’s first submission loss in the pro MMA competition.
“The Machine” believes he helped the former UFC champion stay sharper than his second successful title defense.
Related: PRO responds after Merab dvalishvili submits Sean O’Malley at UFC 316
DvalishVili credits Aljamain Sterling for UFC 316 PREP
Speaking to reporters following UFC 316, Merab Dvalishvili explained the importance of being led by Aljamain Sterling before his rematch with Sean O’Malley (via Mmajunkie.com).
“My friend Alhaman Sterling has helped me so much during this training camp,” Dvalishvili said at a postwar press conference at the Prudential Center. “He doesn’t have a fight (booking) – he’s married. He doesn’t like sparring much, but he sparred with me three times a week (to mimic O’Malley). He was twice as good as Sean O’Malley’s strike.
“It proves once again that it’s not the best fighter to win all the time. O’Malley has really been lucky to Arjo. But I’m grateful to my friend Aljaman Sterling.”
Sterling is seeking a rematch with O’Malley in the aftermath of UFC 316. “Funk Master” is currently competing in featherweight divisions, and it is unclear whether O’Malley will move to 145 pounds in the future.
As for Dvalishvili, I hope to compete in two more rounds before 2025 ends. The 135-pound title holder calls for Cory Sanhagen to be his next title challenger. Sandhagen was 4-1 on his final five outings, and is in fourth place, UFC bantamweight.
