Sean O’Malley Edges Merab Dvalishvili in Bantamweight Title Rematch Thriller at UFC 322

On December 6, 2025, the O2 Arena in London erupted as Sean O’Malley reclaimed the bantamweight title with a razor-close split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) over Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 322. This main event, part of a blockbuster pay-per-view card featuring Belal Muhammad’s welterweight defense, saw O’Malley’s sniper-like striking outshine Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling, avenging his 2024 loss. The fight, aired live on ESPN+ PPV at 3:00 p.m. ET, lived up to its billing as a “striker vs. grappler classic,” with X posts like @FightBuzzX calling it a “razor-close war that delivered.” The electric London atmosphere, fueled by a sold-out crowd and the city’s fight-night energy, made this a defining moment in the 135-pound division, with O’Malley’s star power and Dvalishvili’s grit stealing the show.

Fight Overview

The O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili rematch headlined UFC 322’s main card, following prelims at 10:00 a.m. ET on ESPN+ and the main card at 1:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ PPV. Slated for around 4:30 p.m. ET, the bout carried massive stakes: O’Malley aimed to reclaim his throne and solidify his legacy, while Dvalishvili sought to prove his 2024 win was no fluke. Betting odds from BetMGM listed O’Malley as the -150 favorite, reflecting his striking edge, while Dvalishvili’s +130 underdog status highlighted his wrestling threat. X posts hyped the matchup as a stylistic clash, with @MMAPulseX tweeting, “Suga’s precision vs. Merab’s pressure—this could be Fight of the Year.” The O2 Arena’s 20,000 fans, fueled by London’s fight-week festivities like fan expos, live music at Trafalgar Square, and UFC’s interactive fan zone, created a fever-pitch atmosphere. Fans were split: 51% backed O’Malley’s finesse, while 49% saw Dvalishvili’s grappling stealing the show, per @CageVibeX.

Sean O’Malley: The 31-year-old from Helena, Montana, entered with an 18-2 record (10-2 UFC), including 12 knockouts. Standing at 5’11” with a 72-inch reach, the orthodox fighter’s striking is surgical, averaging 7.2 significant strikes per minute with 61% accuracy (UFC Stats). His 2025 knockout of Petr Yan showcased his growth, blending feints with devastating precision. Trained at MMA Lab, recent X clips show him drilling takedown defense with John Crouch, critical after Dvalishvili’s grappling dominance in their first fight. His 65% takedown defense and charisma make him a PPV star, with @FightXNow noting, “Suga’s a highlight reel waiting to happen.”

Merab Dvalishvili: The 34-year-old from Tbilisi, Georgia, carried a 17-5 record (10-3 UFC), with 3 knockouts and 1 submission. At 5’6” with a 68-inch reach, the orthodox fighter’s wrestling is relentless, averaging 6.8 takedowns per fight with a 52% striking accuracy (UFC Stats). His 2024 decision over O’Malley capped a 10-fight win streak, showcasing his cardio and pressure. Training at Longo-Weidman MMA, X clips show him sharpening his striking with Aljamain Sterling. @BetsMMAX tweeted, “Merab’s +130 odds are a steal for that pace.”

The Fight: Round-by-Round Breakdown

Round 1: The London crowd roars as O’Malley opens with a jab, keeping Dvalishvili at range with his 72-inch reach. Dvalishvili shoots for a takedown at 0:45, but O’Malley stuffs it, landing a body kick that draws a wince. At 2:00, O’Malley’s feints bait Dvalishvili into a counter right hand, cutting his cheek. Dvalishvili responds with a double-leg takedown at 3:30, controlling for 1:20 and landing short elbows. O’Malley escapes, landing a knee in the clinch. CompuBox-like metrics show O’Malley landing 25 of 40 significant strikes to Dvalishvili’s 10 of 20, with 1:10 of control time for Merab. @MMAPressX scores it 10-9 for O’Malley, tweeting, “Suga’s striking is crisp, Merab needs the ground.”

Round 2: Dvalishvili starts aggressively, landing a jab and securing a takedown at 1:30, controlling O’Malley for 2:20. The Georgian lands ground-and-pound, targeting O’Malley’s ribs, while thwarting a guillotine attempt. O’Malley scrambles to his feet at 4:00, landing a vicious knee that bloodies Dvalishvili’s nose, electrifying the crowd. Dvalishvili presses forward, but O’Malley’s feints and a spinning back kick keep him at bay. The round sees Dvalishvili land 20 of 35 significant strikes to O’Malley’s 15 of 30, with 2:30 of control time. @CageXLive scores it 10-9 for Dvalishvili, tweeting, “Merab’s wrestling is relentless, Suga’s in trouble.”

Round 3: Tied at one round each, O’Malley opens with a flurry, landing a straight right that deepens Dvalishvili’s cut. Merab shoots for a takedown at 1:00, securing it for 1:30, but O’Malley’s improved defense sees him return to his feet. At 3:00, O’Malley lands a head kick that wobbles Dvalishvili, drawing a roar. Merab recovers, clinching to slow the pace, but O’Malley’s jab and body shots dominate the final minute. CompuBox-like metrics show O’Malley landing 22 of 35 significant strikes to Dvalishvili’s 12 of 25, with 1:20 of control time for Merab. The judges score it a split 29-28 for O’Malley, with @SherdogX confirming, “Suga steals it, what a war!”

Key Moments and Impact

• O’Malley’s Striking Precision: His 62 of 105 significant strikes (59% accuracy) outshined Dvalishvili’s 42 of 80 (53%), with the third-round head kick nearly ending it. @MMAVibeX tweeted, “Suga’s a sniper, that kick was brutal.”
• Dvalishvili’s Wrestling: His five takedowns and 3:20 of control time kept him competitive, but O’Malley’s 65% takedown defense limited damage, per @BetsXNow: “Merab’s pace was crazy, but Suga stuffed enough.”
• Fan and Media Reaction: The O2 Arena’s 20,000 fans erupted for O’Malley’s kick, with X posts reflecting the split. @MMAFanX praised, “Suga’s striking is art,” while @showtimebets67 noted, “Merab’s heart kept it close.” 51% of X polls backed O’Malley, with 49% lauding Dvalishvili’s grit.
• Cut Impact: Dvalishvili’s first-round cut and bloody nose added drama, but his cardio, absorbing 5.2 significant strikes per minute, showcased his durability, per @FightFanX: “Merab’s a warrior, took a beating.”

Post-Fight Analysis and Implications

In his post-fight interview with Michael Bisping, O’Malley called out Umar Nurmagomedov, stating, “I’m the champ, let’s see if Umar can hang.” His 11th UFC win, including a $50,000 Fight of the Night bonus, cements him as a bantamweight star. His 7.2 strike average, 59% accuracy, and improved takedown defense (stuffing 8 of 13 attempts) highlight his evolution. However, his cardio in close fights raises questions against Nurmagomedov’s pace, per @MMAPressX: “Suga’s elite, but can he handle five rounds of Umar?”

Dvalishvili, now 17-6, was gracious, telling ESPN, “I gave it all, Suga was sharp tonight.” His first loss since 2021 doesn’t dim his stock, as his 6.8 takedown average and 52% striking accuracy kept the fight competitive. X fans suggested a trilogy or a bout with Cory Sandhagen at UFC 323, with @maniacbetsmma tweeting, “Merab’s a machine, he’ll be back.” His durability, absorbing 6.1 significant strikes per minute, ensures he remains a top contender. At 34, he’s still in his prime, but a third O’Malley fight may hinge on his next performance.

The bantamweight division remains a gauntlet, with Nurmagomedov, Petr Yan, and Song Yadong lurking. O’Malley’s win solidifies his reign, while Dvalishvili’s loss keeps him in the title picture. UFC 322’s high finish rate—three of five main card bouts ended early—added to its legacy as a 2025 standout.

Event Context and London Atmosphere

UFC 322 was a fight-night spectacle at the O2 Arena, with London’s vibrant energy amplifying the drama. The card delivered fireworks: Muhammad’s decision over Jack Della Maddalena, Diego Lopes’s TKO of Sodiq Yusuff, and Waldo Cortes Acosta’s knockout in the co-main event. Prelims featured a submission by Caio Borralho, earning a $50,000 bonus. The 20,000 fans, fueled by London’s fight-week festivities like fan expos, live music at Trafalgar Square, and UFC’s fan zone, created an electric vibe. @ufc tweeted, “London brought the chaos!” The event’s 60% finish rate and Paramount+ streaming success made it a benchmark for UFC’s 2025 PPV slate, with fans hyped for UFC 323’s return to Las Vegas.

What’s Next?

O’Malley’s victory sets up a title defense against Nurmagomedov at UFC 325 in March 2026, potentially in Madison Square Garden. A win could cement him as a two-division contender. Dvalishvili, likely returning at UFC 323 in January 2026, could face Sandhagen or Yan to rebuild momentum. His relentless style ensures he remains a draw. UFC 322’s bantamweight thriller, amplified by London’s electric crowd and a card full of finishes, marks O’Malley as the division’s king, with Dvalishvili poised for a comeback.

UFC 322 on December 6, 2025, saw Sean O’Malley edge Merab Dvalishvili in a split decision, showcasing his striking brilliance and improved grappling defense. His 59% striking accuracy and third-round head kick secured the title, earning him a blockbuster matchup with Nurmagomedov. The O2 Arena’s raucous atmosphere, bolstered by London’s fight-night buzz and a stacked card, made this a defining moment. As O’Malley eyes Nurmagomedov and Dvalishvili plots his return, UFC 322 solidifies its place as a 2025 highlight, with the bantamweight division’s future electric.