Merab Dvalishvili blames dubious food for Sean O'Malley hurting him with body kicks at UFC 306: "I feel this pain"
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has revealed an unusual reason for feeling the effects of Sean O'Malley's body kicks during their title fight at UFC 306.
In a recent interview with Daniel Cormier, Dvalishvili admitted that he had consumed yogurt or something sweet before the fight, which caused him to experience stomach discomfort and made him more susceptible to body blows.
"I ate a yogurt or something sweet...once I eat this my stomach is like what the f*ck...I feel a pain in my stomach...anyway I fight and he gut me, I feel this pain."
Check out the full interview with Daniel Cormier below:
However, Dvalishvili managed to dominate O'Malley throughout the fight, securing a unanimous decision victory and becoming the new bantamweight champion. His victory marked the 11th consecutive win of his career and solidified his status as a rising star in the UFC.
Merab Dvalishvili opens up on the controversial moments during the Sean O'Malley fight at Noche UFC 306
Merab Dvalishvili has addressed the unusual moments that occurred during his dominant victory over Sean O'Malley at UFC 306. The Georgian fighter explained the verbal exchange with O'Malley's corner and the controversial kisses he planted on O'Malley's neck during the fight.
Dvalishvili revealed that he was provoked by O'Malley's corner, who were making disrespectful comments towards him. He stated:
"I’m a professional fighter...I’m focused and it never happens to me. I never pay attention to other corner. But Tim’s voice was very familiar because he was doing the same thing to [Aljamain Sterling]...He was talking sh*t to me. I told him, ‘Stop it.’ Nobody was telling him to stop. He just kept doing this."[1:39]
The champion also justified the kisses he gave to O'Malley, explaining that it was a playful gesture to show his dominance. He said:
“I grabbed his neck and he had 10 seconds left, I know he can wait and he’s not going to sleep or tap [to] this. I want to make just little fun of him. I don’t hate the guy, just make fun of him. But at same time, give him a little kiss – to show them that I’m dominating."
Check out Merab Dvalishvili's comments below [1:39]: