Sean O’Malley on Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov, Who He's Backing at UFC 311

Sean O'Malley reacts to Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov getting booked for UFC 311.

Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

Sean O'Malley is keeping a close eye on the next bantamweight title fight.

Still in the title conversation is the former UFC Champion O'Malley, even after a loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in September. Currently the #1 contender, O'Malley pushed for an immediate rematch with Dvalishvili in the spring, but alas, his former foe and the promotion had other plans.

Former UFC Champion Sean O'Malley. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

UFC 311 Adds Another Huge Fight, Top Lightweights Set to Clash In Los Angeles

O'Malley Thought He'd Fight Dvalishvili In April

Dvalishvili makes a four-month turnaround to fight undefeated challenger and cousin of Khabib, Umar Nurmagomedov in the co-headliner of UFC 311 in a matter of weeks in January, taking O'Malley by surprise.

"No one really knew," O'Malley said of Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov getting booked on his YouTube channel. "Umar was going to fight in December, Merab wanted to fight in March and it was like, 'I might fight [Dvalishvili] in April,' which is all in my head."

Following a successful surgery on his torn labrum in October, O'Malley was ready to go for the Dvalishvili rematch, however, "Suga" will have to wait for the winner - that is, if the UFC gives the superstar an immediate title shot upon his return.

Watching from the sidelines, Dvalishvili vs. Nurmagomedov is a matchup for the ages, given Dvalishvili's extraordinary gas tank and wrestling pressure and Nurmagomedov's well-rounded game, from flashy kicks to being a dominant force on the ground.

UFC Bantamweight Umar Nurmagomedov. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

O'Malley Has A Preference As To Who Wins

In a fight that could very well determine his next opponent, O'Malley wants Dvalishvili to come out on top at UFC 311.

"I want Merab to win because I want that one back," O'Malley revealed. "I want the rematch. I want that one back. That's what I want. But if Umar wins, that's a big fight, too."

UFC 306: O'Malley vs. Dvalishvili. / Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

"Suga" On Their UFC 311 Spat

Along with their fight next month, Sean O'Malley commented on the viral press conference between the two that saw Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov argue back-and-forth about merit and disrespect.

"Merab and Umar had their little press conference. Merab made me laugh," O'Malley said of Dvalishvili joking about team Nurmagomedov being in a jacuzzi together.

A reporter asked Umar Nurmagomedov and Islam Makhachev what their best moment together is:

Merab: "How about jacuzzi, jacuzzi!"

Islam: "You can come."

Umar: "I was not there." 😭

🎥 @UFC #UFC311 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/WaMA7kA5pu

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 7, 2024

"He seems like he gets emotional. It didn't really make sense," O'Malley said of Dvalishvili's heated exchanges with Nurmagomedov at the UFC 311 press conference.

🗣️ "You are piece of s***!" #UFC311

Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov are going at it 😳 pic.twitter.com/rID7TlVkZy

— UFC Europe (@UFCEurope) December 6, 2024

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