In a thrilling turn of events at UFC 306, Merab Dvalishvili clinched the bantamweight title from Sean O’Malley, marking a significant milestone in his career. The fight, held at the Sphere in Las Vegas, saw Merab Dvalishvili dominate O’Malley with a unanimous decision victory, showcasing his superior grappling and striking skills.
Merab Dvalishvili issues social media statement on title win
Following his victory, Dvalishvili took to social media to express his gratitude and share his thoughts on the fight. He dedicated his win to his fans, coaches, and supporters, emphasizing the hard work and dedication that led to this moment.
Wanted to explain also what happened during fight – when I got O'Malley in the choke… I heard 10 seconds and knew I didn't have enough time for a submission so ….. I decided to show him who the daddy was of this fight and gave his back a few kisses LOL. When the ref touched…
— Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) September 16, 2024
However, what caught the attention of many was Dvalishvili’s explanation of a peculiar incident during the fight. At the end of the second round, during a grappling exchange against the cage, Dvalishvili cheekily kissed O’Malley on the back. This unexpected gesture left fans and commentators puzzled.
In his social media post, Merab Dvalishvili explained, “I heard 10 seconds and knew I didn’t have enough time for a submission, so I decided to show him who the daddy was of this fight and gave him back a few kisses, LOL. He further clarified that he mistook the referee’s touch as a signal to break, leading to a brief moment of confusion.