Merab Dvalishvili vows to "humble" Sean O'Malley at UFC 316 after 'Sugar' predicts knockout during heated exchange 

Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley's rivalry sparked fresh heat during a recent exchange at the UFC 316 press conference. A reporter asked O'Malley about Dvalishvili's playful taunt of stealing his jacket, belt, and fans. O'Malley asserted confidently that he would knock out Dvalishvili in the rematch.

The Georgian champion didn't hold back and responded with a promise to humble the American fighter. O'Malley started the exchange by dropping his prediction, stating:

"You know, I truly believe I’m going to knock Merab out. Come Sunday no one’s going to give a f*ck about Merab and that’s just, it is what it is."

Dvalishvili replied:

"Keep talking, and you’re going to get more humble. I’m making people humble, and you will see on June 7. Yeah, you was playing all this time like a humble guy. But okay, I’ll show you again one more time."

Check out the exchange below:

Dvalishvili enters the bout riding a 12-fight win streak. He captured the title with a dominant win over O'Malley at UFC 306 and subsequently defended it against Umar Nurmagomedov.

Meanwhile, O'Malley is coming off the second loss of his professional career. In his first meeting against Dvalishvili, he struggled to find rhythm but managed to rally late. Now fully recovered from an injury that seemingly hampered his performance last time, he looks to recapture lost ground and the bantamweight gold.

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Merab Dvalishvili doesn't want to leave any "questions" after rematch against Sean O'Malley at UFC 316

Merab Dvalishvili is determined to deliver a definitive performance in his UFC 316 title rematch against Sean O’Malley. The Georgian champion dominated their first fight with wrestling, but knows rematches come with new challenges.

O’Malley now enters the rematch fully healthy, having recovered from a hip injury that hampered him last time. Dvalishvili, riding a 12-fight win streak, refuses to underestimate his opponent. Speaking about the rematch in an interview with the UFC, Dvalishvili said:

“I’m super-motivated and I believe I’m a better fighter [than the last time]. I have to win, but Sean always has a chance. Even though I am a better fighter than him, it’s a fight, it’s a sport, and anything is possible, which is why I have to make sure I fight hard and smart at the same time... I want to leave no questions."