Sean O'Malley is relishing the opportunity to headline arguably the most unique event in UFC history at Sphere in Las Vegas, and he anticipates a dazzling performance against Merab Dvalishvili.
After much anticipation and speculation, UFC CEO Dana White announced Friday that the main event of Noche UFC (also known as UFC 306) on Sept. 14 will see O’Malley (18-1 MMA, 10-1 UFC) put his bantamweight title on the line against streaking contender Dvalishvili (17-4 MMA, 10-2 UFC).
White had previously revealed more than $17 million in costs have already been sunk into production for the event at the state-of-the-art Sphere venue, and has relentlessly promised it will be the “greatest live combat sports show” ever.
O’Malley sits at the top of the bill for the showcase, and he expects it to live up to all the hype.
“I got a call from the production team the other day – they said this sh*t’s going to be a f*cking movie,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “I’m going to have to put in some actual work during this promotion because of the level that’s going into this. Absolutely insane. Honored to headline and main event, UFC Sphere.”
Alongside White’s announcement of the full Noche UFC card came a video package that featured O’Malley and Dvalishvili facing off. “Sugar” said it was a full-day filming process to get the promotional materials done, and during that time he exchanged many words with his next opponent.
O’Malley, 29, who will attempt to make his second title defense on the card, said he thinks in Dvalishvili’s “head a little bit” after their time together, and predicts he will knock the streaking contender “out cold.”
Dvalishvili, No. 2 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie bantamweight rankings, won’t be easy to stop, though. He’s riding a 10-fight winning streak inside the octagon and has beaten former champions Jose Aldo, Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo in consecutive fights.
It’s clear O’Malley isn’t intimidated, though, and said he intends to prove once again why he’s No. 1 in the world.
“I’m going to make Merab look stupid,” O’Malley said. “I’m going to make him look silly. I’m going to make him look like he doesn’t even belong in there with me. Too elite. Not good enough. He’s got good cardio. He’s got good wrestling. He’s got decent striking. But I’m great. He’s decent – I’m great.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Noche UFC.
