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Merab Dvalishvili recently discussed Sean O'Malley's striking power and admitted that his body shots were more effective than how they were perceived at Noche UFC. Ahead of their rematch, Dvalishvili noted that he is prepared for what to expect against O'Malley.
Dvalishvili and O'Malley are set to clash in a rematch for the bantamweight championship in the main event of UFC 316, which takes place this Saturday.
Despite their first bout being fairly one-sided in 'The Machine's' favor, there were moments where he appeared to be noticeably feeling the effects after 'Suga' landed kicks to the body.
Red Corner MMA posted a clip from Dvalishvili's latest conversation with Daniel Cormier on his YouTube channel, where he described his initial reaction to O'Malley's body shots in the fifth round.
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Dvalishvili said:
"No, I'm not gonna say [O'Malley] cracked me, but he let me feel his [power]. First time I felt his body kick, and if he landed two more clean [shots like that] then maybe it can be a problem. That's why when he got me with the body kick, I'm like, 'Fu*k'. Like, just two minutes earlier, I was holding him down but because of the referee told me, 'Move, do something', I let him get up. I should not [have] let him go."
Check out Red Corner MMA's post featuring Merab Dvalishvili's comments below:
Merab Dvalishvili says he considers Sean O'Malley to be a new challenge
Merab Dvalishvili also admitted to considering Sean O'Malley a new challenge despite already competing at Noche UFC last September.
In the aforementioned interview, Dvalishvili mentioned that he is expecting a much better performance from O'Malley in their rematch. He said:
"I'm sure [O'Malley's] been working to stop me and I believe I'm a better fighter than him, but I still have to respect his power, his reach, his speed and it's a new fight, new challenge. Not every fight goes [the] same way... It can play out this fight different, this fight different. That's why I'm trying to take this fight serious. And it's a new challenge for me, it's a new fight and I'm looking forward to it."
Check out Merab Dvalishvili's comments below (5:39):
