UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen has put forth a surprising claim: the upcoming bout between Sean O’Malley and Aiemann Zahabi, scheduled for June 14, will be contested for the interim UFC bantamweight championship. This allegation, however, remains unconfirmed by any official UFC announcements.
Previously, Merab Dvalishvili was set to engage in a rematch with the current two-time 135-pound champion, Petr Yan, as soon as Yan was ready to return to the octagon. Yan, a Russian fighter, has already shared footage of himself training after undergoing back surgery, with reports suggesting his comeback is anticipated in the third quarter of 2026.
In the meantime, Dvalishvili sustained another nose injury during training. While reconstructive surgery is necessary for “The Machine” to perform at his peak, the Georgian fighter is resolute in his desire to fight this year and reclaim his “lost glory” by defeating Yan, regardless of his injury. The UFC had indeed promised Dvalishvili an immediate title rematch. He has stated his intention to postpone surgery until after his retirement.
Chael Sonnen’s Unconventional Claim
Chael Sonnen believes that the bantamweight interim strap will be up for grabs when Sean O’Malley and Aiemann Zahabi clash on June 14, reportedly on the South Lawn of the White House.
During a recent video published on his YouTube channel, Sonnen articulated his viewpoint:
“Sean O’Malley’s fight at the White House has been elevated to an interim title fight, which means a couple of things. First off get well to Petr Yan and secondly it doesn’t look like Merab will be getting that immediate rematch.”
If Sonnen’s assertion proves to be accurate, it would mean that Dvalishvili, known as “The Machine,” would not receive the immediate title rematch against Yan that the UFC had previously assured him, jeopardizing the completion of their anticipated trilogy.
