‘I thought it looked better on Merab’: The Story of Merab Dvalishvili Taking Sean O’Malley’s jacket

Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley offer differing accounts of Merab Dvalishvili wearing O’Malley’s jacket at UFC 288–and whether it could lead to a bout between O’Malley against Dvalishvili

BOSTON, MA – All signs point to UFC 292 marking Aljamain Sterling’s finale at bantamweight.

Sterling defends the bantamweight title on Saturday against Sean O’Malley. If he is victorious, Sterling will likely move to featherweight and challenge Alexander Volkanovski.

Moving to featherweight would alleviate some of the stress of cutting weight for Sterling, as well as avoid any potential bout against teammate/friend Merab Dvalishvili. Sterling and Dvalishvili have stated they will never fight, though that only means in the Octagon–as the two are constantly training together.

“We have a lot of those moments,” says Sterling. “If you guys were able to watch our training sessions, we go through some battles. It’s always fun having him for a training partner, to push me, and getting me ready for my fights–and it’s always fun to help get him ready for his fights. Iron sharpens iron.”

Merab “Houdini” Dvalishvili too quick 😂😂😂 . This man had O'Malley’s jacket on in 5 seconds 😭 #UFC288 pic.twitter.com/aW8ZdNhI1E

— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) May 7, 2023

Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo in May at UFC 288. Following that fight, O’Malley entered the Octagon for a staredown. For Sterling and O’Malley, it was an intense moment, but in the background, it was incredibly fun to see Dvalishvili quietly put on O’Malley’s red jacket.

“It was funny, man,” says Sterling. “I didn’t realize that was going on. I thought they were just trying to jump on my boy. I was like, ‘What the f---?’ Then I saw afterwards he took his jacket, which is hysterical. I thought it looked better on Merab anyway.”

O’Malley had a slightly different recollection of the moment.

“I thought it was silly,” says O’Malley. “I didn’t recognize Merab. How funny is that? I thought he was just a f------ worker. I handed Merab my jacket. That’s hilarious. I didn’t know who Merab was. I find that very funny.”

Asked whether that moment could be the origin of a fight against Dvalishvili, O’Malley did not seem high on that prospect, preferring a bout against Chito Vera.

“I’m in the fight business,” says O’Malley. “I’ve been saying that, I’ve never been afraid to say that. This is a business to me. What makes more money: me vs. Merab or me vs. Chito? It’s very simple to me.”

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.