The upcoming bantamweight title rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley is set to headline UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2 on June 7, 2025, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, United States. This clash for the UFC Bantamweight Championship is a high-stakes rematch with significant implications for the division’s future.

Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili, a Georgian-American fighter, is the current UFC Bantamweight Champion and the second Georgian to win a UFC title. With a professional record of 19 wins and 4 losses, Dvalishvili is renowned for his relentless cardio, suffocating wrestling, and high-volume striking. His 10-fight win streak includes a unanimous decision victory over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 in September 2024 to claim the title, followed by a successful title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January 2025, earning Fight of the Night honors. Dvalishvili’s ability to maintain an unrelenting pace and dominate grappling exchanges makes him a nightmare for opponents, though his reliance on decision victories leaves room for a well-timed finish to upset his game plan.

Merab Dvalishvili – Last 5 Fights:

1. Win vs. Umar Nurmagomedov – Unanimous Decision (UFC 311, January 18, 2025)
2. Win vs. Sean O’Malley – Unanimous Decision (UFC 306, September 14, 2024)
3. Win vs. Henry Cejudo – Unanimous Decision (UFC 298, February 17, 2024)
4. Win vs. Petr Yan – Unanimous Decision (UFC Fight Night, March 11, 2023)
5. Win vs. José Aldo – Unanimous Decision (UFC 278, August 20, 2022)

Sean O’Malley

Sean O’Malley, an American fighter, is a former UFC Bantamweight Champion known for his flashy striking and pinpoint accuracy. With a professional record of 18 wins, 2 losses, and 1 no contest, O’Malley boasts 12 knockouts, showcasing his ability to end fights with a single strike. His title reign ended with a unanimous decision loss to Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in September 2024, but prior to that, he successfully defended his title against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 in March 2024, earning Performance of the Night. O’Malley’s unorthodox movement and knockout power make him a dangerous contender, though his grappling defense remains a vulnerability against elite wrestlers like Dvalishvili.

Sean O’Malley – Last 5 Fights:

1. Loss vs. Merab Dvalishvili – Unanimous Decision (UFC 306, September 14, 2024)
2. Win vs. Marlon Vera – Unanimous Decision (UFC 299, March 9, 2024)
3. Win vs. Aljamain Sterling – TKO (Punches) (UFC 292, August 19, 2023)
4. Win vs. Petr Yan – Split Decision (UFC 280, October 22, 2022)
5. NC vs. Pedro Munhoz – No Contest (Accidental Eye Poke) (UFC 276, July 2, 2022)

Prediction:

This bantamweight title rematch pits Merab Dvalishvili’s relentless grappling and cardio against Sean O’Malley’s dynamic striking and knockout power. In their first encounter, Dvalishvili’s wrestling and pressure overwhelmed O’Malley, neutralizing his striking advantage over five rounds. Dvalishvili’s ability to chain takedowns and control the fight on the ground will again be key, but O’Malley’s adjustments, including improved takedown defense and sharper counterstriking, could make this a closer contest. If O’Malley can keep the fight standing and land a clean shot early, his knockout power could flip the script. However, Dvalishvili’s durability and suffocating pace are likely to wear O’Malley down over the championship rounds, securing another dominant performance.

Prediction:
Merab Dvalishvili def. Sean O’Malley via Unanimous Decision (49–46 x3).