There doesn’t seem to be any lingering bad blood between Bantamweight’s outstanding merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley.
The two recently crossed a pass at the UFC Performance Institute, with O’Malley celebrating the performance of the successful champion in the title defense against UMAR Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 this January.
“Your final fight was impressive, you looked good,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “It was a fun battle to watch. It was a lot of fun.”
Before facing Nurmagomedov, Dvalishvili claimed bantamweight gold in a unanimous decision over O’Malley at UFC 306 this September. Nothing has been confirmed, but UFC CEO Dana White has recently hinted that two rematches could be created.
“They want to fight each other,” White said, following UFC Seattle. “People want to see that.”
Dvalishvili also appears to indicate that a return date was likely to occur during their conversation.
“I respect you as a fighter,” Dvalishvili told O’Malley. “When we fight, I know you’ll clash hard, and I know you’re going to change your plans.”
O’Malley has been on the sidelines ever since taking hip surgery after the UFC 306 main event. It was an injury that O’Malley admitted to having blocked him during his battle with Dvaliszvili.
“Last time there was only one hip,” O’Malley said. “I have both hips now.”
At the first meeting, Dvailishvili landed six of his 15 takedown attempts, but O’Malley appeared largely reluctant to unleash his own blows due to the lighting threat of his opponent’s wrestling. Dvalishvili joked that there might be a change in plans in the second fight.
“Now I’m going to use my impressive one,” Dvalishvili said. “Do you think you’re no? You think I’m not? Buddy, do you see me fighting Umar? I was impressive.”
