Sean O’Malley Runs into Merab Dvalishvili at UFC PI

UFC stars Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili ran into each other at the UFC Performance Institute (UFC PI) earlier this month. The meeting, caught on video by O’Malley, shows the two engaging in a surprisingly friendly conversation despite their history inside the octagon. Could this be the first step toward a highly anticipated rematch?

A Surprise Encounter at UFC Performance Institute

In early March, UFC bantamweight fighters Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili unexpectedly ran into each other at the UFC Performance Institute (UFC PI). The reigning champion and the former titleholder have a competitive history, but their recent interaction was surprisingly friendly.

O’Malley shared a video of the encounter on his YouTube channel, giving fans a behind-the-scenes look at their exchange.

O’Malley’s Stardom and Comeback Plans

Sean O’Malley has become one of the biggest stars in the UFC, thanks to his flashy striking, unique personality, and social media presence. Inside the octagon, he is a dangerous counter-striker, while outside, he shares his life as a father and content creator.

However, his bantamweight reign was cut short when Merab Dvalishvili defeated him at UFC 306 on September 15, 2024. O’Malley suffered a hip injury that required surgery, delaying his return. Now, he is working his way back into the title picture.

A Respectful Conversation – But a Rematch Brewing?

In the video, O’Malley and Dvalishvili are seen standing in the UFC PI dining area, surrounded by their teams. Despite their rivalry, the two joked around and exchanged compliments. They even agreed that a rematch needs to happen, although no fight has been scheduled yet.

Dvalishvili, now the UFC bantamweight champion, acknowledged O’Malley’s skills:

“Sean is a great fighter. We had a good fight, and I respect him a lot.”

O’Malley also gave props to Dvalishvili’s dominant performance against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311, saying:

“You looked great in your last fight, man. Solid work.”

Tension in the Pool?

Later in the video, O’Malley and Dvalishvili crossed paths again—this time in the jacuzzi at UFC PI. Their interaction remained friendly, but fans couldn’t help but notice some underlying competitive tension.

Dvalishvili has expressed interest in fighting both O’Malley and Petr Yan next, stating that he wants one of those two for his next title defense.

Will We See Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2?

At the moment, Petr Yan is rumored to be next in line for a title shot after his dominant win over Deiveson Figueiredo. Meanwhile, O’Malley is still recovering but appears eager to make a comeback.

Will we see a Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley rematch in 2025? Who do you think would win? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Watch the full video here: Sean O’Malley runs into Merab Dvalishvili at the UFC PI