Sean O’Malley admits only one UFC fighter could end Merab Dvalishvili’s title reign

O’Malley had some late success against Dvalishvili during their first meeting at UFC 306, landing body kicks in the fifth round, but it was not enough to sway the judges.

The Georgian has been under pressure before – Marlon Moraes nearly stopped him in 2021, and Henry Cejudo landed a big shot during their 2024 bout.

Umar Nurmagomedov also took the first two rounds from Dvalishvili before fading in the final three.

Despite these moments, O’Malley believes that striking is still the only path to beating Dvalishvili, as he stated on his YouTube channel.

“He’s very, very confident in his striking right now.

“He can be [confident] because either his opponent’s gonna back up, and like, nothing really happens, or they’re gonna stand and try to trade. He’s gonna crack them, fall into a single leg, fall into a double leg or they’re gonna get cracked with the right hand.”

O’Malley added: “To beat Merab you just have to land that shot. You have to be able to f—— snipe him.

“And he was getting a little bit more reckless. The more confident he gets into striking, the more gaps it leaves open to be caught. That’s just the only [way]. I don’t see really anyone being [able to beat him].”

“I do think I’m the only one… I hate to say it. I hate to f—— say it. I’m the only one that could beat him. Give me a shot at the White House.

“I gotta go out there and get some wins. I gotta get some wins. But, I don’t see anyone really beating Merab anytime soon.

“He needs to be clipped, needs to be knocked out and put to sleep to beat him. I just don’t really see anyone other than myself being able to do that.”

Merab Dvalishvili closing in on Anderson Silva’s win streak

Only four fighters in the history of the UFC have won 14 or more consecutive fights.

Dvalishvili is now part of an elite group, alongside Islam Makhachev and Kamaru Usman, who each stretched their runs to 15 wins inside the Octagon.

Anderson Silva still holds the all-time record with 16 consecutive victories.

Dvalishvili, now 34, could be on track to surpass that mark with just a couple more successful title defences.