It might be one and done for Sean O'Malley this year.
The UFC Bantamweight Champion defended his title for the very first time in a rematch against Marlon 'Chito' Vera last weekend at UFC 299. O'Malley made sure there was no doubt in Miami, pitching a complete shutout against the #5 contender.
Weighing in as the backup fighter and watching the bantamweight title fight from cageside, the streaking Merab Dvalishvili is waiting in the wings for his golden opportunity to finally come.
The #1 contender's frustration is starting to show after O'Malley excluded him from his post-fight interview, positioning himself for a champ vs. champ fight with featherweight kingpin Ilia Topuria instead.
A week later, 'Sugar' has turned the tables once again with a message to Dvalishvili. But, there's a catch...
"I WANT MARAB. 2025 will be legendary," O'Malley wrote on 'X'.
UFC champions tend to take their time before returning to the Octagon as a way to extend the reach of their title reign. The championship crown may also bring new business opportunities and for a fighter as popular as O'Malley, it has done just that.
Still though, March could be too early for O'Malley to call off the rest of 2024. Welterweight champ Leon Edwards defended his title in March of last year and had to fight once more against Colby Covington in December to cap it off.
There's a chance O'Malley is just trolling his rival Dvalishvili as he's been known to do. However, having fought twice in the last six months, maybe a stretch of rest is what the UFC Bantamweight Champion needs right now.
One thing is for sure though, with 10 wins straight, Merab Dvalishvili believes he's done more than enough for a title shot against Sean O'Malley.
"I have been waiting for this callout for 7 years.. but who is Marab???" Dvalishvili responded to O'Malley on 'X'.. "Dude .. review my name lessons I gave Henry... MERAB! And guess you need another year to prepare for the machine."
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