Sean O’Malley Disputes Judges’ UFC 306 Decision: “I Won!”

Sean O’Malley’s recent loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 has sparked major controversy, with O’Malley insisting that the judges got it wrong. Despite losing the bantamweight title by unanimous decision, O’Malley argues that he won rounds 1, 3, and 5 of the fight. Initially gracious in defeat, O’Malley has since changed his tune after reviewing the fight, claiming on social media that the narrative around his performance is inaccurate.

O’Malley’s Dispute of the Decision

In a series of live tweets and a Twitter Spaces session, O’Malley defended his performance, stating,

“I won the first, third, and fifth rounds.” He argued that while Dvalishvili may have secured some takedowns, they caused minimal damage. “He took me down a few times, but literally did no damage,” O’Malley remarked, challenging fans and analysts to rewatch the fight without the influence of commentary. O’Malley didn’t hold back in expressing his frustration, calling out his critics and saying, “I challenge all you f*cking little dorks that think that I got my ass kicked to go and rewatch that fight.”

While Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling and pace earned him the victory on the judges’ scorecards, O’Malley remains firm in his belief that he was the rightful winner. His claim has ignited debates within the MMA community, with some agreeing with O’Malley’s assessment and others siding with the judges’ official decision.

O’Malley’s Future in the UFC

Despite the disappointing result, O’Malley appears more motivated than ever. He has revealed that he will undergo surgery for a hip injury, which he sustained ten weeks before the fight. O’Malley expects to be sidelined for a while but plans to return by summer 2025 to “defend his belt.” He even called out top contender Umar Nurmagomedov, accusing Dvalishvili of avoiding him: “Merab is f*cking terrified of Umar,” O’Malley said. He insists that, in his eyes, he is still the true champion and aims to return stronger than ever next year.

This isn’t the first time O’Malley has disputed a defeat. After his first career loss to Chito Vera in 2020, he continued to refer to himself as undefeated, a narrative he has maintained even after UFC 306. Despite the official record, O’Malley’s self-proclaimed “champion” status is a testament to his belief in his abilities.

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