MMA
UFC 306: Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili keys to victory
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UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley looks to defend his title versus a long-time rival, Merab Dvalishivili in the main event of UFC 306 on Saturday, September 14. The pair have been jarring back and forth every chance they get adding additional excitement to an already interesting matchup.
Here's what each main event fighter needs to do in the hopes of getting their hand raised on Saturday night.
Sean O'Malley's keys to victory
Keep the fight on the feet
We all know this is a classic striker vs. grappler fight and O'Malley must make Dvalishvili fight on the feet. Dvalishvili doesn't have any knockouts in the UFC and O'Malley would be smart to force Dvalishvili into a slugfest. The odds are better for O'Malley in the striking department as that's where he shines.
Act quickly
Dvalishvili's biggest asset is his gas tank. That means O'Malley can't wait in hopes of tiring him out. His best shot is a first or second-round KO/TKO before Dvalishvili has time to implement his wrestling. The longer this fight goes, the better chance Dvalishvili has at winning on the scorecards.
Defend the takedowns
O'Malley should have been working on his takedown defense for this fight because if Dvalishvili gets him to the canvas, the fight could be over. Dvalishvili is a beast and is called "The Machine" for a reason. O'Malley has to do everything he can to keep his back off the mat.
Merab Dvalishvili's keys to victory
Wrestle, wrestle, wrestle
Dvalishvili's bread and butter is his wrestling. He cannot get cocky and look to knock O'Malley out or he may end up flattened on the canvas just like his best friend Aljamain Sterling. He's best to implement the wrestling early, despite how boring the fight may end up to be.
Fight smart
In life, Dvalishvili tends to take unnecessary risks just to show off, just look at any of his wild videos of himself diving into ice, hanging off cliffs, or walking on rooftops. This fight needs to be all focus and he cannot let himself get lost to the crowd. His gameplan will cause a reaction from the crowd and he can't play into it. Any unnecessary risks could give O'Malley an opening he cannot afford. Stick to the gameplan and he can find success.
Tire him out
We said it before, Dvalishvili has an endless gas tank. If he can tire O'Malley out and take him into the later rounds he might find a submission or a ground-and-pound finish.
