Sean O’Malley will close the show on Saturday’s historic Ultimate Fighting Championship card at The Sphere, but he won’t be distracted by the spectacle.
“It feels like a big fight,” O’Malley told TMZ Sports. “It’s the first mixed martial arts event for UFC at the Sphere and it’s probably the last event for UFC. It’s a one-off, so it’s a big deal.”
UFC 306 is expected to feature many new production elements at the unique venue, including movies between fights and giant LED screens projecting different worlds during the action. But when O’Malley enters the cage to defend his bantamweight belt against Merab Dvalishvili, his focus will be solely on his opponent.
“I’m going to show up, I’m going to walk into the Octagon, I’m going to walk into the Octagon the same way I always do, and I’m going to do what I always do,” O’Malley said. “I’m not going to sit on the sidelines and enjoy the whole presentation, the whole show. [I’m] Laser-focused, tunnel vision, and just trying to beat Merab. That’s all that’s on my mind. I don’t care about all that extra stuff. It’s great for the fans, but I’m on a mission.” UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili, Saturday at 10pm ET on ESPN+. Order now!
Merab’s relentless gas tank and wrestling have earned him more takedowns than any other fighter in UFC bantamweight history by a significant margin, making him a tough opponent for the striking-heavy O’Malley. But the champion sees it differently.
“Stylistically, I’m a nightmare opponent for Merab,” O’Malley said.
That being said, O’Malley is well aware of Dvalishvili’s skill set and respects the challenge his opponent will pose.
“He’s ranked No. 1. He’s on a 10-fight winning streak,” O’Malley said. “The reason he’s never fought for a title or been champion is because of Aljamain Sterling. He’s an incredibly dangerous fighter. He’s a cardio machine. He never gets tired. He’s taken a few hits, but he’s got a strong chin.”
“He got rock hard by Marlon Moraes and he ended up beating him. So he’s very durable. Good cardio. Obviously he’s got the skills. He’s on a 10-fight win streak. He’s very, very dangerous.”
