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The UFC is giving Sean O’Malley a shot to avenge his one career loss to Chito Vera in March. O’Malley recently claimed he meant to do that (lose to Vera) to set up a revenge match.
UFC 299 looks great, but not everyone is happy. One bantamweight in particular is not happy. Coincidentally it’s the one bantamweight who’s heavily favored to beat O’Malley. I’m talking about Merab Dvalishvili, the teammate of former champ Aljamain Sterling.
Merab Dvalishvili takes aim at wild UFC bantamweight title picture
Dvalishvili seemingly lost his chance to fight for the belt when he campaigned for Aljamain Sterling.
Dvalishvili has a 10-fight win streak that includes wins over two former champions in Jose Aldo and Petr Yan and two former title contenders in Marlon Moraes and John Dodson. Maybe that’s why he’s certain he’ll eventually get his shot
“I’m back with breaking news, everybody!” Dvalishvili revealed in his self-produced promotional video.
“So we know the champ, Sean O’Malley, call out no. 6 guy, Chito [Vera] to avenge his loss. Of course Chito Vera will beat skinny guy again and he will become UFC new champ. Already, Chito Vera called out no. 4, Cory Sandhagen to avenge his loss… Of course, Cory will beat Chito again, and he will become UFC new champ.
“And Cory will call out no. 5 Petr [Yan], to get his loss back. Petr will win against Cory again, and Petr will call no. 2—this handsome guy,” Dvalishvili explained, speaking of himself. “And this handsome guy will beat Petr again.
“And then, here comes the news! I will avenge the loss and call out no. 885, Frankie Saenz, out of the retirement.”
Merab Dvalishvili responds to Henry Cejudo
Dvalishvili also took aim at Henry Cejudo.
“Hey, Henry Cejudo, what are you talking about me?” Dvalishvili asked. “Don’t think I forget about you.”
“Brain damage,” Dvalishvili diagnosed, wearing a set of scrubs and a stethoscope. “We have a result from hospital, Henry Cejudo has a longer tongue than himself. But, no worries. Doctor Merab will fix this problem on February 17th. See you there, Henry. I’m coming for you.”
UFC 298 Card
In addition to the Dvalishvili vs Cejudo #1 contender’s bout, the UF 298 card will feature 145 pound champ Alexander the Great Volkanovski facing Ilia Topuria in the headlining slot. Looking like a darn fine card by UFC 2024 standards.
Featherweight Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Ilia Topuria
Middleweight Robert Whittaker vs. Paulo Costa
Welterweight Geoff Neal vs. Ian Machado Garry
Bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili vs. Henry Cejudo
Middleweight Anthony Hernandez vs. Roman Kopylov
Women’s Strawweight Amanda Lemos vs. Mackenzie Dern
Heavyweight Marcos Rogério de Lima vs. Justin Tafa
Light Heavyweight Zhang Mingyang vs. Brendson Ribeiro
Women’s Flyweight Andrea Lee vs. Miranda Maverick