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Merab Dvalishvili dominated Sean O’Malley at UFC 306, earning the title of UFC bantamweight champion.
The judges scored it 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47 in favor of Dvalishvili (18-4), a 33-year-old from the country of Georgia. He used a ground-and-pound attack to control most of the action against O’Malley (18-2).
O’Malley, 29, was a slight -125 favorite.
“Now look at me,” Dvalishvili said. “I’m a UFC champion and I’m living my dream. I inspire so many people in my country and around the world.”
Umar Nurmagomedov congratulated Merab after the fight, but also took a jab at the champ and said in the future, "I hope [Dvalishvili] won't avoid the real challenger. In any case, I'm ready."
BetOnline.ag jumped on the chance of a potential Dvalishvili-Nurmagomedov bout, releasing odds almost immediately following UFC 306.
That fight became official December 4 when UFC President Dana White made the big announcement.
Makhachev vs Tsarukyan and Dvalishvili vs Nurmagomedov is LIVE January 18th from @intuitdome, California! #UFC311 pic.twitter.com/XZuAFUYAyC
— danawhite (@danawhite) December 5, 2024
UFC 311 landed another blockbuster bout with Islam Makhachev defending his lightweight belt against Arman Tsarukyan in a rematch in the main event.
UFC 311 is scheduled for Jan. 18 at the new Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.
Merab Dvalishvili +155
Umar Nurmagomedov -180
(NOTE: The line opened Umar -200, Merab +170)
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