Merab Dvalishvili is eager to face Sean O’Malley and clear all doubts.
Sean O’Malley quickly rose to fame as a former YouTuber and received many promotions beforehand, but fighters like Merab had to work hard for recognition. The fighter has had ten wins, including three victories over former UFC champions. He has a chance to claim the title.
“I will be so proud,” Dvalishvili told MMA Fighting. “Because I know I don’t get nothing handed to me. I had to work for everything that I got, and I will be very proud. I’m already proud of myself, and I know and all the true MMA fans know. I’m here and fighting hard. I don’t have pressure or anything. It will be special for me. But first, I have to win this fight.
“This is a tough challenge for me. Sean O’Malley is a good fighter and that’s why I always wanted to fight him. I want to win this fight, and I want to be organic. I don’t want to overthink. And I don’t want to be cocky. First, I have to win this fight, and then we can talk. One thing is for sure: I’m working hard, and I’m very hungry.”
Dvalishvili is confident in his will to become champion. The fighter knows he’s up against a formidable opponent, but he has promised to put on a spectacle fight. His rival, O’Malley, on the other hand, has said he will deliver a first-round knockout.
He said Merab’s fate would be the same as Sterling–Aljamain Sterling suffered a KO from O’Malley.
“That’s their problem — they are too cocky,” Dvalishvili said. “Even Sean told me during the faceoff [at a promotional shoot for UFC 306], he told me. ‘What’s going to be different between you and Aljo? I’m going to knock you out the same thing.’ First of all, you don’t knock Aljo out. Yes, you dropped him, and Marc Goddard stopped the fight early. Second of all, every fight is different. If you fought Aljo 10 more times, I believe he will beat you nine times. Same thing with me.
“Don’t underestimate me. I’m a fighter. I’m here. Hard work got me here, and you’ve got to show me respect. If you don’t show me respect, see what I did against Petr Yan. I’m going to do the same thing against Sean O’Malley. Same thing, [Yan] didn’t show me respect, and I’m going to be rude. I’m going to make him humble. I don’t like these bully people. I don’t like these people who look over you. They look on top, and they think they are better than you, but we are the same. We’re fighters. Maybe I’m even better than him, so we will find out soon.”
Merab is prepared to take on the champ, regardless O’Malley’s comments. Although he hasn’t revealed his fight strategy yet, the fighter has been working hard and building himself. “Suga” is playing a mental game, but Merab is determined to stay focused and he won’t be distracted.
“One thing for sure is, I’m working hard, and I’m very hungry,” Dvalishvili said. “I’m going to surprise a lot of people. I’m telling you I’m looking for the knockout, and don’t be surprised if I knock him out.”
