Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley announced he is ready to face the current division champion, Merab Dvalishvili, in a rematch scheduled for March 2025.
O'Malley told Ariel Helwani in an interview:
I’m fighting Merab. Merab vs. ‘Suga’ 2 is happening. I’m manifesting. I don’t give a f–-k about anything else. I don’t know what’s going on with Umar and Merab. Umar [Nurmagomedov] said he’ll fight, that he wants to fight this year, but Merab said he doesn’t want to fight this year. Don’t fight him. Wait for me. I’ll be ready in March.
Sean O'Malley
Merab Dvalishvili quickly responded to O'Malley's comments, agreeing to the rematch.
Let’s Go …. I will try to not kiss you this time.
Merab Dvalishvili
For context, in September 2024 during UFC 306, Dvalishvili defeated O'Malley by unanimous decision, becoming the new bantamweight champion. Dvalishvili holds a record of 18 wins and 4 losses, while O'Malley has 18 wins and 2 losses, with one fight deemed a no contest.