Sean O'Malley vs Merab Dvashvilli

The rematch is on. Merab Dvalishvili—the tireless takedown machine who toppled Sean O'Malley at UFC 306—steps back into the cage after a first successful title defense. Has O'Malley made the right adjustments to flip the script this time?

Core Stats Comparison

Striking Breakdown:

This is where Sean O'Malley shines. He boasts elite-level numbers across the board—61% striking accuracy and 60% defense, compared to Merab Dvalishvili’s 42% accuracy and 56% defense. O'Malley lands a blistering 6.70 significant strikes per minute, well above Merab’s 4.36. However, Merab’s standout defensive stat is his remarkably low 2.51 strikes absorbed per minute, which highlights his ability to avoid prolonged exchanges—largely thanks to his grappling control.

Grappling Breakdown:

The fight’s true narrative lies here. Merab averages an incredible 5.89 takedowns per 15 minutes, showcasing his relentless pace and cardio. O'Malley, while underrated in this area, has a 42% takedown accuracy and 61% takedown defense—decent but still vulnerable to the elite wrestlers. The question isn't if Merab will shoot—it's how many times—and whether Sean can make him pay on the entries.

Summary:

This is the classic striker vs. relentless grappler matchup. O'Malley has the tools: the longer reach (72” vs 68”), the more efficient striking, and fight-ending precision. But unless he finds a way to shut down Merab’s chain-wrestling and pressure, it could be a grind-heavy, exhausting night for the challenger.