Joe Rogan, Michael Bisping and UFC stars are satisfied Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili will play out a technique.
O’Malley has mentioned his title rematch with Dvalishvili at UFC 316 is ‘the largest battle of his life’ as he goals to change into a two-time champion within the promotion.
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Dvalishvili, in the meantime, is aiming to cement as standing because the world’s finest bantamweight, having defeated O’Malley to win the belt at UFC 306 in September.
‘The Machine’ has since retained his belt towards Umar Nurmagomedov in January, and a second victory over O’Malley would place him among the many best to ever do it at 135 lbs.
Dvalishvili vs O’Malley has left many within the MMA world divided, however the majority of the game’s greatest personalities have it going a technique.
“Sean is sniper like along with his placing… he’s received to go ahead and be the aggressor,” British MMA legend Bisping defined, earlier than choosing his winner come Saturday night time.
“He’s received to search out Merab Dvalishvili. He’s received to decrease his face and go on the assault, as a result of if he stands there and waits, Merab’s going to have a discipline day.
“I like Sean and I’ve all the time been impressed with Sean primarily based on my private interactions.
“However I’m choosing Merab… Sean may win the battle, however if you happen to ask me the place to place my cash proper now, I’m Merab Dvalishvili.”
Whereas in style UFC commentator Joe Rogan didn’t straight decide a winner, he agreed with Bisping’s evaluation of the battle.
“I have no idea how ‘Suga’ Sean retains that [Dvalishvili] off him,” Rogan mentioned, discussing each males’s wrestling recreation that many consider will determine the battle.
Dvalishvili utilised his superior floor recreation to safe a unanimous resolution victory when the pair final met on the Sphere in Las Vegas.
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“However I do like what he is been doing,” Rogan continued. [O’Malley] received off social media, stopped smoking weed, simply dialed the f*** in.
“Obtained his hip mounted, which was a giant downside. There’s a number of these fighters that take these fights as a result of it is some huge cash, it is a huge occasion, they do not wish to cancel, they usually’ve received a major harm.
“Sean couldn’t wrestle. Think about not having the ability to wrestle in camp and you have to go face Merab.
“He is a f***ing animal. That man’s superhuman – there is no one like him.
“The cardio that man has is off the charts. It is simply off the charts. I’ve by no means seen something prefer it.
“He would not get drained. And he is full gasoline, no breaks the complete battle. It is simply smothering, overwhelming individuals.
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“Even [Umar] Nurmagomedov, who’s additionally an animal – he could not hold him off of him. This motherf****** is loopy.”
Australia’s first-ever UFC champion Robert Whittaker was on the identical boat as Bisping and Rogan.
“I’m gonna again Merab once more,” he mentioned. “I like Sean, I like the best way he works, however I backed Merab the primary time and I wish to see that story.
“I wish to see that novel written and the way far that horse can run… I wish to see an absolute grindfest for 25 minutes.
“I spoke to Merab immediately and he appears locked in. He says he’s going to be searching for a end on this one.
“I did assume of their first battle he received a bit carried away with the present boating, a bit carried away with the taunting a bit of bit.
“I didn’t get that tremendous excessive vitality that we’re used to seeing with Merab, he understands the risk that Sean goes to carry to the desk, and yeah I’m trying ahead to this one for that.”
The pair’s first assembly was marred by fouls and strange incidents as Dvalishivli kissed O’Malley en path to victory.
Former UFC light-weight Paul Felder can be backing Dvalishvili to win in New Jersey.
“How a lot of the wrestling may’ve modified on this period of time?” he mentioned.
“That’s the opposite factor to actually have a look at. Merab had one other battle with Umar the place he was doing all that very same form of stuff.
“He’s more energizing. I simply assume that’s a giant hole to beat. The best way he was dominated within the wrestling division, and I don’t assume that’s going to get mounted.
UFC 316 pay-per-view card
Two title fights at Prudential Middle in Newark, New Jersey
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley – Males’s bantamweight title battle
Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison – Girls’s bantamweight title battle
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer – Middleweight
Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Combine – Bantamweight
Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland – Welterweight
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“I like that he stopped smoking weed, I like that he’s extra centered, I hope it’s extra aggressive and he lands some photographs, however I feel Merab goes to do an identical factor.”
UFC 316 witnesses two title fights as Julianna Pena defends her girls’s bantamweight belt within the co-main occasion towards Kayla Harrison.
The preliminary card is scheduled to begin at 11pm UK time on Saturday, with the primary card starting at round 3am on Sunday morning earlier than the headline conflict at 5am.