Merab Dvalishvili dominated champion Sean O’Malley to win bantamweight gold at UFC 306 in an historic night at the Sphere in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
The Georgian dominated proceedings from the first bell, using his relentless pressure to weigh down O’Malley and grind out an ugly but effective result. However, one moment captured attention on social media more than any other.
As the second round was coming to an end, the challenger was working a takedown against the cage. And as O’Malley moved into position he appeared to move forward and kiss his rival on the back of his head.
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Merab Dvalishvili dominates Sean O’Malley to win UFC bantamweight title
In one of the most ambitious UFC shows to date last night in Las Vegas, Dana White brought live sport to the new Sphere venue for the first time. The promotion pumped over $20million into production to put on an epic night, paying tribute to Mexican fighters during the nation’s Independence Day weekend.
In the evening’s main event, fan favorite Sean O’Malley defended his bantamweight world title against bitter rival Merab Dvalishvili. The pair had been going back-and-forth for years and finally settled the feud in the octagon.
Dvalishvili pushed the pressure from bell to bell as he dominated proceedings on route to victory. He proceeded to declare himself the best fighter in all of the UFC, and claimed that he had made a great fighter in O’Malley look ‘ordinary’.
Merab Dvalishvili appears to kiss Sean O’Malley during UFC 306 grudge fight
One moment at the end of the second round left fans confused as it appeared that the challenger leaned over to plant a few kisses on his opponent. As Dvalishvili was in position, seemingly in a taunting gesture, he looked to kiss the back of O’Malley’s head.
Even stranger was a few seconds later as he seemed to think the round was over a few seconds early. He allowed O’Malley up, which left him open to some strikes, although it wasn’t enough to turn the round, or indeed the fight.
Fans were in hysterics on social media, with one writing: “The level of disrespect smh,” alongside a series of crying laughing emojis. Another shared a gif of a crying clown, jokingly adding “I stayed up to 2am to watch Sean O’Malley get walked like a dog.”
Dana White brands Merab Dvalishvili’s behavior during fight ‘weird’
UFC boss Dana White was asked afterwards what he thought about how Dvalishvili behaved, noting that he didn’t fully understand it. The kissing incident followed a moment right at the start when Dvalishvili complained to referee Herb Dean of screaming happening in O’Malley’s corner.
“What happened was Merab and O’Malley’s corner were screaming at each other the whole beginning of the fight,” White explained during his post-fight press conference. “Then Herb Dean stepped in, and told them to knock it off.
“Then the kissing in the back and standing up and walking away before the bell? I have no idea, Merab does some s***. It was weird, but not shocking!”
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