Introduction – A Fight Fans Crave, UFC Delays
The bantamweight division is heating up with talent, and at the center of this storm stands Sean O’Malley, the flashy, fan-favorite champion. But fans have been wondering: Why hasn’t the UFC booked the inevitable showdown—Sean O’Malley vs Merab Dvalishvili?In the first 10% of this article, let’s unpack the real reasons why Sean O’Malley vs Merab isn’t happening yet—despite overwhelming public demand.
Fighter Profiles and Stats Breakdown
To understand the hesitancy, let’s analyze the two fighters’ performance metrics, skill sets, and UFC momentum.
Sean O’Malley – The Starboy Striker
| Fighter | Record | Striking Accuracy | Takedown Defense | UFC Bonuses |
| Sean O’Malley | 18-1 | 61% | 64% | 7 |
- Knockouts: 12
- Signature Style: Precision counter-striking, flashy footwork
Fan Base: Extremely strong online presence and marketability
Merab Dvalishvili – The Machine Wrestler
| Fighter | Record | Takedowns per Fight | Striking Defense | Octagon Control |
| Merab Dvalishvili | 17-4 | 6.6 per fight | 60% | High |
- Known For: Relentless pressure, unmatched cardio
Recent Win: Dominated Petr Yan with 49-46 scorecards
UFC’s Strategic Reasons for Avoiding Sean O’Malley vs Merab
This isn’t just about matchmaking—it’s about business, risk management, and long-term value.
Sean O’Malley is a Cash Cow UFC Can’t Risk
Sean O’Malley vs Merab is a dangerous fight for the UFC’s most marketable bantamweight. O’Malley is:
- Young, charismatic, and easily promotable
- A huge PPV draw
- Already dubbed “The New McGregor of Bantamweight”
A loss to Merab could damage his mainstream appeal—especially since Merab isn’t a big talker or trash-talker.
Merab’s Style Isn’t “Fan Friendly”
Despite his dominance, Merab isn’t favored by casual fans. His wrestling-heavy approach lacks the flash that UFC highlights are built on.
Dana White wants violent wars, not grinding 5-round decisions. Booking Sean O’Malley vs Merab now might result in:
- Boring optics for a PPV
- Low viral potential
- Narrative damage to a poster boy
Tactical Delays: What UFC May Be Planning
The UFC Is Milking Sean O’Malley’s Title Run
It’s not uncommon for the UFC to delay dangerous fights to:
- Build anticipation
- Increase PPV buys
- Maximize revenue through easier title defenses
Sean fought Aljamain Sterling, but the UFC is carefully avoiding putting him against two back-to-back wrestlers (Sterling → Merab).
Merab Refuses to Be a Backup – And UFC Doesn’t Like It
Merab publicly declined to be a backup for the Sterling vs O’Malley fight. That didn’t sit well with the brass. The UFC tends to favor compliant, flexible fighters. Merab’s insistence on “earning the shot the right way” may have backfired
Risk Analysis – Who Has More to Lose?
Let’s break down the high-risk dynamics behind Sean O’Malley vs Merab:
| Aspect | Sean O’Malley | Merab Dvalishvili |
| Risk of Defeat | High (vs wrestler) | Medium (vs striker) |
| Fan Backlash Risk | High | Low |
| Business Loss for UFC | Very High | Low |
| Fight Excitement Level | Moderate | Low (for casuals) |
UFC Favoritism and the Sean O’Malley vs Merab Delay
The ongoing delay in booking Sean O’Malley vs Merab raises serious concerns about favoritism within the UFC’s matchmaking process. While both fighters have earned their positions, it’s clear that business decisions often overshadow merit. UFC has historically protected its star athletes, especially those with high marketability like O’Malley. This pattern isn’t isolated — it’s part of a broader issue deeply embedded in the promotion’s rankings and bonus distribution systems. To understand how the UFC’s internal bias may be affecting fights like Sean O’Malley vs Merab, read our detailed exposé:
Dana White UFC Favoritism Exposed: Biased Bonuses & Rigged Rankings in 2025?
Fan and Media Pressure – Will UFC Cave In?
Despite the politics, fans are vocal:
- MMA media outlets have repeatedly ranked Merab as the #1 contender
- Fighters like Henry Cejudo and Petr Yan have publicly pushed for the fight
- Twitter/X trends regularly spike with “Sean O’Malley vs Merab” every post-fight card
If the UFC doesn’t book this fight soon, it risks appearing biased and profit-driven.
What Needs to Happen to Make Sean O’Malley vs Merab Official?
UFC Must See a PPV Opportunity
The fight could happen if:
- UFC can stack a strong co-main to draw numbers
- Merab markets himself better (maybe trains trash talk with Cejudo?)
O’Malley calls him out publicly—so Dana has no choice
Conclusion – Is Sean O’Malley vs Merab Inevitable?
The delay in Sean O’Malley vs Merab isn’t coincidental. It’s the product of strategic planning, business motives, and image protection.
But fans, analysts, and even other fighters know this fight has to happen if the bantamweight division wants legitimacy. The longer UFC avoids it, the more pressure builds.
Eventually, there will be nowhere to hide.
