Sean O`Malley may have discovered a key vulnerability in Merab Dvalishvili.
The highly anticipated UFC 316 event is fast approaching, featuring a championship bout between current titleholder Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O`Malley on Saturday in Newark, New Jersey. This will be a rematch of their fight at UFC 306 last September, where Dvalishvili defeated the then-champion O`Malley via unanimous decision after five rounds of sustained pressure.
Following their first encounter, Dvalishvili stated he had taken it easy on O`Malley and planned to pursue a finish in their upcoming second fight.
In the upcoming bout, O`Malley faces a significant challenge against Dvalishvili`s relentless wrestling-heavy style and exceptional cardiovascular endurance.
Although O`Malley struggled in many aspects of the UFC 306 fight, a former UFC standout believes O`Malley revealed a weakness in Dvalishvili during the later stages of their contest.
Dan Hardy Highlights Dvalishvili`s Midsection as a Potential Target for O`Malley
According to former UFC title challenger and analyst Dan Hardy, O`Malley visibly hurt Dvalishvili with a front kick to the body in the fifth round of their previous fight. The kick caused Dvalishvili to circle away and, after a few more body shots, look up at the clock with about 90 seconds remaining.
He needs to be more proactive in trying to find finishes.
That last round went the way that it did with the front kick to the midsection and Merab being hurt and looking up at the clock, I mean, that was a dead giveaway.
The obvious target for Merab is his midsection.
I think O’Malley realized there was another route to victory other than landing a clean punch on the chin, and that was damaging his body. That’s where Sean O’Malley needs to be proactive. Front kicks to the midsection are gonna be the obvious way for Sean O’Malley to open this. If he can do damage, he can sap the gas tank of Merab. Those front kicks will chain very well with knees up the midsection, which are very good for people that level change constantly.
You have to slow those kind of fighters down and damage them in ways that they kinda can’t psychologically deny.
Hardy stated this analysis on his `War Room` breakdown, explaining how to effectively combat a fighter like Dvalishvili.
Dan Hardy Leans Towards an O`Malley Victory via a Clean Shot
Dvalishvili is widely regarded as having some of the best cardio in the UFC, making body shots a potentially crucial strategy for O`Malley at UFC 316 to diminish this advantage. Naturally, O`Malley must also contend with Dvalishvili`s potent wrestling and whatever other tactics he brings to the octagon on Saturday.
While Hardy acknowledges that the fight could potentially go Dvalishvili`s way again, he is picking O`Malley in the rematch.
O’Malley’s got the skills and the technique to be able to put Merab away.
If Merab plays the right game, he should be able to maul and drown O’Malley…
Having said that, I think we’re gonna get a rubber match.
I feel like O’Malley might steal this one with something clean as Merab is overextending himself.
Hardy believes the rematch could lead to a third fight between the two contenders.
Rupert Hartwell