Merab Dvalishvili`s quick reflexes and composure were put to the test not only in his title defense against Sean O`Malley but also just before his entrance to the octagon at UFC 316.
While Dvalishvili successfully defended his UFC bantamweight championship with a decisive third-round submission victory over O`Malley in the main event last Saturday, his path to the cage was nearly obstructed by a dangerous incident. A barricade positioned near the end of Dvalishvili`s walkout tunnel gave way, causing several spectators in the immediate vicinity to fall onto the arena floor below.
New footage has surfaced offering a different perspective of the moment the barricade collapsed.
Despite the alarming scene during his walkout, Dvalishvili appeared largely unfazed, proceeding to deliver a dominant performance against O`Malley that likely settles their rivalry definitively.
The victory extended “The Machine`s” impressive winning streak to 13 consecutive fights. This marked his second successful defense of the bantamweight title, which he initially won via decision against O`Malley at UFC 306 in September. Earlier this year, at UFC 311 in January, the 34-year-old champion handed Umar Nurmagomedov his first professional defeat via unanimous decision in the co-main event. Dvalishvili`s sustained success and dominance in the division have fueled considerable debate regarding his status as potentially the greatest bantamweight of all time.
