Merab Dvalishvili explains why he posted viral video after being cut in training, shuts down Sean O’Malley’s plan to target the scar
Merab Dvalishvili caused concern for MMA fans several weeks ago after posting footage of him receiving stitches for a cut above his eye. The incident occured during training for his fight with Sean O'Malley, set to headline Noche UFC 306 on Sept. 14.
With Islam Makhachev's rematch against Charles Oliveira at UFC 294 having been canceled after 'do Bronx' suffered a cut above his eye, fans were hoping that the bantamweight title fight did not befall the same fate.
Fortunately, the cut was less severe than Oliveira's, allowing 'The Machine' to continue his preparations. However, his decision to post footage of the cut online did not sit well with UFC CEO Dana White.
The title challenger discussed his online post during a recent interview with Alexander Volkanovski, where he said this:
"When I got cut, I didn't even get punches, I hit the hip bone [of a training partner] and it opened my scar tissue... But I had more than three weeks [when the cut happened] and I had time, in my mind it was nothing. I'm just gonna get stitches."
He continued:
"I didn't plan before to make a video, but at the same time I wasn't afraid to talk about it or post it, because I knew I had time. If Sean O'Malley thinks he's going to punch [the cut], it's not gonna happen."
Watch Merab Dvalishvili's interview below (6:10):
Sean O'Malley admits he will look to target Merab Dvalishvili's cut
Noche UFC 306 will see Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili go to war in the main event. The matchup will see a sharp-shooting striker face off against the most relentless wrestler in the division, and the clash could produce fireworks.
The cut suffered by the Georgian several weeks ago has been a notable talking point ahead of the bout, and 'Sugar' admitted that he will be looking to target the weakness over the five-round fight.
He was recently interviewed by Kevin Iole and said this:
"I am a 100% going to open up that cut whether it's healed or not... I don't know how much it can heal, I've never really had any bad cuts so I'm not sure. But I'm gonna be, you know, that's the left side of his face, this right hand doesn't miss."
Watch Sean O'Malley discuss Merab Dvalishvili's cut below (6:05):