We are just hours away from one of the most anticipated fights in MMA. Fans cannot wait to see who comes up on top in the battle between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley. While many expect bantamweight champion O’Malley to win due to the massive height and reach between him and his opponent, one UFC legend believes otherwise.

In a recent edition of the Joe Rogan Podcast, the UFC commentator was joined by legends of the sport, Matt Serra, John Rallo, and Din Thomas. While the three superstars of the MMA realm and Rogan discussed deadly viruses such as rabies, as the conversation turned, Serra couldn’t help but call Dvalishivili in a positive light. According to the former UFC welterweight champion, the Georgian is truly ruthless and barbaric inside the Octagon.

Emphasizing his statement, he revealed why he believes that despite O’Malley being five inches taller than The Machine and having a greater reach of ten centimeters, Dvalishvili will be the dominant fighter. But while many believe the contender will only be a threat to Suga when grappling, Serra took the example of the Georgian’s fight against Jose Aldo to prove otherwise.

He highlighted that while Aldo did not allow Dvalishivili to secure multiple takedowns, the 33-year-old still came up on top and defeated his opponent. “Look what he did to Jose Aldo. He didn’t get him down too much. And look him up against the cage. That all that height, this difference in height, the reach—that’s at a disadvantage once he gets a hold of him. So he could beat the sh*t out of him up against the cage.”

Serra further added that cutting down Suga’s angle by pinning him against the cage will lead him to have much-reduced strength in his punches. It will prove to be highly beneficial for Dvalishvili. “Now there’s a little less a little less pop in Sean’s in f*ckin his punches. His strikes that length is going to be a problem when he closes the distance, Merab.” However, one must not forget that in his previous fight, O’Malley defeated Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera by unanimous decision in a duel that he dominated from start to finish. So it surely won’t be an easy fight for the Georgian. In fact, O’Malley might even have a veteran rooting for his win.

Kamaru Usman is all praise for O’Malley

As a former UFC champion and star, Kamaru Usman has given “his blessing” to Sean O’Malley. And as we all know, this is no small feat. The Nigerian highlighted O’Malley’s professionalism in his way of handling business and his career and urged other young fighters to follow in his footsteps. He said, “Sean O’Malley’s one of those kids that I really love. I like seeing him. I like watching him. Not just that, I like the way that he carries himself. We’re kind of in a society to where it’s fame is supposed to come before success. That’s what we were pushing on. But it’s very rare for that success to actually come. Sean, yes of course, he announced the fame. And I think the reason he announced that fame is because it just feels real and authentic.”

It seems that O’Malley-Mania has been unleashed. At NocheUFC, this may only increase if Suga manages to defend his title against Merab Dvalishvili. A fight where Usman would surely be rooting for the bantamweight champion. Sean O’Malley has, for a long time, carried the stigma of being Dana White’s favorite. However, his last win showed what he is made of, as he can go toe-to-toe against top-level figures. Now, a huge number of doors have been opened for the Montana native to become the megastar he always dreamed of being. And, as we said, the NocheUFC from “The Sphere” will be another opportunity for Suga to shine again.

What do you think? Who will win the fight? Let us know in the comments.