Merab Dvalishvili, Sean O’Malley Have Cordial Interaction at UFC PI

There appears to be no lingering bad blood between bantamweight standouts Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley.

The two recently crossed paths at the UFC Performance Institute, where O’Malley praised the reigning champion’s performance in a successful title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 this past January.

“Your last fight was impressive, you looked good,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “That was a fun fight to watch. That was very fun.”

Prior to facing Nurmagomedov, Dvalishvili claimed bantamweight gold with a unanimous decision triumph over O’Malley at UFC 306 this past September. While nothing has been confirmed, UFC CEO Dana White recently hinted that a rematch between the two could be in the making.

“They want to fight each other,” White said following UFC Seattle. “I think people want to see it.”

Dvalishvili also seemed to indicate that a return date was likely during their conversation.

“I respect you, man, as a fighter,” Dvalishvili said to O’Malley. “When we’re going to fight, I know you hit hard, and I know you’re going to change your plan.”

O’Malley has been sidelined since underdoing hip surgery after the UFC 306 main event. It was an injury that O’Malley admitted also hindered him during the fight against Dvalishvili.

“I only had one hip last time,” O’Malley said. “I’ve got both hips now.”

In their first meeting, Dvailishvili landed six of 15 takedown attempts, while O’Malley seemed largely reluctant to unleash his own striking due to the onging threat of his opponent’s wrestling. Dvalishvili joked that he might have a change in plans in a second fight.

“Now I’m going to use my striking,” Dvalishvili said. “You think no? You think I’m not? Bro, you see me fight with Umar? I was striking.”