We are just one week away from UFC 306: Riyadh Season Noche, where all eyes will be on the highly anticipated main card clash between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili. Division king Sean O’Malley is out to prove his critics wrong once and for all. Ever since he skyrocketed to stardom, doubts have surrounded his meteoric rise. Many questioned whether his title shot was more the result of favorable matchmaking than pure skill—especially after he knocked out then-champion Aljamain Sterling in 2023 to claim the bantamweight crown.

Now, with two title defenses under his belt, ‘Suga’ is determined to solidify his reign. This upcoming fight is crucial for O’Malley, as he faces one of the toughest and most relentless contenders in Dvalishvili. O’Malley has left no stone unturned in his preparation, willing to go to any lengths to retain his title—even if it means using unconventional methods. According to his coach, Tim Welch, O’Malley is working on a unique technique that could surprise everyone when he steps into the Octagon.

What exactly does O’Malley have up his sleeve? Stay tuned as we uncover the secret behind his innovative approach and whether it will be the key to silencing the doubters once and for all. This showdown promises to be nothing short of explosive.

Coach Welch reveals Sean O’Malley’s unusual strategy

Since 2018, ‘The Machine’ has maintained an unbeaten record, taking down top contenders such as Petr Yan and Marlon Moraes on his rise to becoming a top-ranked fighter. Sean O’Malley and his team are well aware of how dangerous Merab Dvlaishvili is. Recently, on The Brendan Schitty show, Coach Welch disclosed that O’Malley and his team are preparing by analyzing Dvalishvili’s past fights. Welch said, “We have TJ, the blue belt at the gym, who does these in-depth breakdowns of each opponents. He did it for Petr Yan, Aljo, Cheeto, and Merab. I tell him, ‘I want to know where Merab’s head is at. Anytime someone stands orthodox, what dose does he shoot on?”

Tim Welch further explained what they do after gathering data on Merab Dvalishvili’s reactions and move timings. He said, “What does he do? He breaks down all these things and turns them into little GIFs or meme so I can watch them. Then, we can structure the pads and knockout shots around that.” The danger posed by Dvalishvili is reflected in the odds, with ‘The Machine’ emerging as the favorite, while ‘Suga’ remains the underdog.

With everyone’s primary focus on the upcoming UFC 306 event’s bantamweight title fight, another bombshell has dropped, causing Merab Dvalishvili to lose sleep. Rumors suggest that the winner of this match will have to face Dagestani sensation Umar Nurmagomedov, who has become a nightmare for the division. However, Dvalishvili has dismissed these speculations and offered his own choice for the next title challenger.

Dvalishvili quashes Umar Nurmagomedov’s UFC title dream

A few months back, Umar Nurmagomedov made a major impact in the bantamweight division by putting on a clinic and taking out Cory Sandhagen at UFC Saudi Arabia. This win was supposed to cement his place in the division, and it did, launching him from #13 to #2 in the bantamweight rankings.

However, Merab Dvalishvili remains unimpressed. Dvalishvili believes ‘Young Eagle’ doesn’t deserve a title shot, citing that Nurmagomedov has only fought one top-15 opponent. He said, “I don’t know because he [Nurmagomedov] never fought somebody—well, not never; he only fought one guy from the top 15, and the guy, Sandhagen, gave him a hard time, and how would I know? He fights people who are nobody, and they gave him #2. Yes, he got the win, but I mean, he’s a good fighter for sure, but he hasn’t earned it to be here.”

What are your thoughts on Sean O’Malley’s unusual technique? Do you think it will be enough for him to defend his title? Drop your opinion in the comments.