Merab Dvalishvili sent a message to UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley after a dominant victory over Henry Cejudo at UFC 298.
The Georgian fighter dominated the fight from the opening bell and delivered a number of eye-catching moments en route to a unanimous decision victory over the former two-weightUFCworld champion.
Dvalishvili joked with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who was cage side, while having Cejudo in a guillotine hold, while he also carried his opponent the width of the Octagon, before dumping him on the floor.
Dvalishvili’s win retired Cejudo from the UFC but it has now set him up for a shot at the bantamweight world title against the winner of the UFC 299 main event between O’Malley and Marlon Vera on March 10.
Merab’s message for O’Malley
UFC presidentDana Whitehas intimated Dvalishvili will get a shot at the winner of that fight and the 33-year-old wants to pit his wits against current champion O’Malley.
Merab Dvalishvili wants Sean O’Malley’s belt… and his latest jacket 😅#UFC298pic.twitter.com/fddf2Qc3lm
“He is champion now and I wish he can keep the belt and I can fight him. I want to take his belt and I saw today he was wearing a nice white jacket so I want his white jacket.”
And UFC fans are convinced O’Malley could be in trouble if he fights Dvalishvili.
Sean O’Malley at home right now watching Merab ragdoll Henry Cejudo:#UFC298pic.twitter.com/48P0Zxsi17
One fan tweeted: “Merab is going to own the division for so long if they let him fight O’Malley. I think Tatsuro Taira may be the only kid with a two belt future 125/135 currently on roster.”
And another added: “Yeah, O’Malley is losing that belt once he fights Merab.”
Sean McCormick was the Sports Editor at Dexerto. He has a BA in Sports Journalism and over the last seven years has worked as a writer, reporter and an editor across titles such as Chronicle Live, Leeds Live and Manchester Evening News covering the region’s football clubs and sports stars. Sean loves football, boxing, MMA, darts and NBA.
