Sean O’Malley may have finally discovered the key to defeating Merab Dvalishvili. As UFC 316 approaches, the anticipation builds for the title defense matchup on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey, where Dvalishvili will put his championship belt on the line against O’Malley. This rematch comes after their previous encounter at UFC 306 in September, where Dvalishvili claimed victory by unanimous decision, dethroning O’Malley in the process.
In their first fight, Dvalishvili showcased his relentless wrestling style and superior cardio, consistently outworking O’Malley over five rounds. However, Dvalishvili has since claimed that he was “taking it easy” during that bout and plans to finish O’Malley in their upcoming rematch. The pressure-heavy style of Dvalishvili poses a significant challenge for O’Malley, but insights from former UFC star Dan Hardy suggest that O’Malley may have uncovered a vulnerability in Dvalishvili late in their previous fight.
Dan Hardy, a former UFC title challenger and now an analyst, observed a pivotal moment in their first fight where O’Malley effectively harmed Dvalishvili with a front kick to the body in round five. This strike left Dvalishvili visibly affected and circling around the Octagon. With just 90 seconds remaining in the title fight, Hardy noted that Dvalishvili’s reaction—looking up at the clock—was a clear indication of his distress.
“He needs to be more proactive in trying to find finishes,” Hardy stated during his breakdown on the War Room. He emphasized the potential for O’Malley to exploit Dvalishvili’s midsection, suggesting that body shots could be a critical strategy for O’Malley in their rematch. “The obvious target for Merab is his midsection,” Hardy explained. “I think O’Malley realized there was another route to victory other than landing a clean punch on the chin, and that was damaging his body.”
Hardy continued to elaborate on O’Malley’s potential game plan, noting that front kicks to the midsection could open up opportunities for further damage. “If he can do damage, he can sap the gas tank of Merab,” Hardy remarked. He also pointed out that these front kicks could seamlessly transition into knee strikes, which are particularly effective against fighters who constantly change levels.
“You have to slow those kinds of fighters down and damage them in ways that they can’t psychologically deny,” Hardy advised when discussing strategies to beat Dvalishvili. This insight could prove invaluable for O’Malley as he prepares for their anticipated rematch.
Dvalishvili is renowned for having some of the best cardio in the UFC, making body shots a potentially pivotal tactic for O’Malley at UFC 316. However, O’Malley must first navigate Dvalishvili’s wrestling prowess and other strategies he may employ during the fight. Hardy, while acknowledging the possibility of Dvalishvili winning again, expressed confidence in O’Malley’s abilities. “O’Malley’s got the skills and the technique to be able to put Merab away,” he said.
Yet, Hardy also recognized the potential for a closely contested matchup, stating, “If Merab plays the right game, he should be able to maul and drown O’Malley…” However, he ultimately leans towards O’Malley, suggesting that the fight might result in a rubber match. “I feel like O’Malley might steal this one with something clean as Merab is overextending himself,” Hardy concluded.
As UFC 316 approaches, fans are eager to see how this rematch unfolds and whether Sean O’Malley can capitalize on the weaknesses exposed in his previous fight against Merab Dvalishvili.
