Merab Dvalishvili finally took helm at the top of the bantamweight division Saturday when he captured the title from Sean O’Malley in the UFC 306 headliner.
Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) closed out the promotion’s historic debut event at Sphere in Las Vegas when he extended his winning streak to 11 consecutive fights courtesy of a unanimous decision triumph over O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) to mark a new champion in the 135-pound division.
Check below for the top X (formerly Twitter) reactions to Dvalishvili beating O’Malley at UFC 306.
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UFC
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MMA Junkie
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Sphere
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Dillon Danis
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Championship Rounds
Nolan King
Not something you see every day – Herb Dean calls timeout and warns Merab Dvalishvili for talking smack to Tim Walsh… and then he warns Tim Walsh mid-round, too #NocheUFC
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) September 15, 2024
Sodiq Yusuff
Fighters aren’t allowed to talk to a corner?
— Sodiq Yusuff (@Super_Sodiq) September 15, 2024
Kevin Iole
Takedown by Merab with two minute sleft in first
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) September 15, 2024
Anton Tabuena
Easy takedowns for Merab on his first attempts. Not sure why he kept playing with fire trying to stand, with how easy those were.
— Anton Tabuena (@antontabuena) September 15, 2024
Fight Ghost
Aaron Bronsteter
Alan Jouban
Henry Cejudo
Pretty even round. Merab making this a dirty fight which is exactly what he needs to do #UFC306
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 15, 2024
Chris Curtis
Kevin Iole
Takedown in center by Merab with plenty of time in the round left
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) September 15, 2024
Dan Tom
When I was in the referee course I don’t remember spending too much time on it but when they referenced “excessive coaching” it was in regard to corner positions (remaining both in and seated in your corner) and protocol (following how many corners allowed between rounds, etc.).
— Dan Tom (@DanTomMMA) September 15, 2024
Yves Edwards
That glove grab is a sign of frustration. This is not looking good for O’Malley right now! #UFCNoche
— The Thugjitsu Master (@thugjitsumaster) September 15, 2024
Demetrious Johnson
Derek Brunson
Fight Ghost
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Jed I Goodman
Alan Jouban
Terrance McKinney
Merab funny as hell kissing that boy lmfao
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) September 15, 2024
Miesha Tate
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Derek Brunson
Matthew Wells
I believe O’Malley stole that round late with a few combinations. 29-28 Merab going into Round 4. #UFC306
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) September 15, 2024
Brian Campbell
Henry Cejudo
Sean needs to go for broke early or it’s all over! Merab is only getting stronger
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) September 15, 2024
Kevin Iole
Crowd booing as Merab has O’Malley pinned in center of Octagon, but Merab is working
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) September 15, 2024
Jorge Masvidal
Dan Ige
Alan Jouban
John Pollock
One-sided round for Merab and dominated in the strikes. Absorbed one from O’Malley and took him down to shut down O’Malley for majority of the round
40-36 Dvalishvili
— John Pollock (@iamjohnpollock) September 15, 2024
MMA History Today
Mike Bohn
Fight Oracle
This is one of the worst performances UFC title fight history. O’Malley can’t do anything. Merab has barely broken a sweat.
— FightOracle ™ (@fightoracle) September 15, 2024
Dominick Cruz
Merab is fighting very smart so far. He is using forward pressure like always, however the feints and the kicks to set up his boxing is connecting him to the takedowns on Omally, and he’s holding him down very well also. Very smart tactics for Merab #UFCNoche
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) September 15, 2024
Nolan King
Henry Cejudo
UFC
Ben Askren
Simon Samano
Herb Dean influenced that final round WAY TOO MUCH for my liking. That said, 50-45 Merab for me. Clean sweep. Machine-like against O’Malley. #UFC306
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) September 15, 2024
Henry Cejudo
Alan Jouban
Final thoughts. Combat sports are forever changed. SPORTS are forever changed. We will want more of this! #UFC306
— Alan Jouban (@AlanJouban) September 15, 2024
MMA Junkie
Michael Carroll
Marlon Vera
I call it the other way, but congrats merab well fought
— C H🖕🏽T O🇪🇨V E R A (@chitoveraUFC) September 15, 2024
Mike Bohn
Dan Ige
Merab is a beast. Excited to see him and Umar.
— Dan Ige (@Dynamitedan808) September 15, 2024
UFC
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC 306 social media reactions: Merab Dvalishvili’s dominant title win over Sean O’Malley met with praise from fighters
