Merab Dvalishvili was crowned the new bantamweight champion at the end of a very strange UFC 306 main event.
The Georgian grappled his way to a decision victory over Sean O’Malley at the Las Vegas Sphere on Saturday night – but their fight was marred by several unusual incidents.
Herb Dean had lots of work to do during the UFC 306 main eventGetty
The fight got off to a bizarre start as veteran referee Herb Dean immediately called a halt to the action to tell off Dvalishvili for trash-talking O’Malley’s head coach, Tim Welch.
Welch got a warning for ‘excessive coaching’, but it didn’t seem to impact his fighter, who landed several eye-catching shots before being taken down to the floor by Dvalishvili.
‘Suga’ impressively got back to his feet and was forced to do so again when he was taken down again towards the end of an interesting first frame.
It was more of the same in round two. Lots of grappling success for Dvalishvili and lots of work for the referee as O’Malley fouled with a glove grab and Dvalishvili tried to kiss his opponent.
The round ended with O’Malley landing a massive punch after the Georgian fighter turned his back whilst getting a telling-off for ‘kissing’.
O’Malley had a much better round three. The 29-year-old was able to counter Dvalishvili’s wrestling attack and keep the fight on the feet where he’s always excelled.
The champion appeared to be gaining control midway through the fourth frame. Dvalishvili got cut over the eye before scoring an impressive takedown and dominating the rest of the round.
O’Malley had his best round in the last as he hurt Dvalishvili with body shots, but he was unable to capitalise and the challenger was able to survive until the final bell.
Ultimately, the cagside judges crowned a new bantamweight champion as they scored the fight 49–46, 48–47, 48–47 in favour of Dvalishvili.
The new champion gave an excited post-fight interview to Joe Rogan.
When he wasn’t messing about, Dvalishvili dominated with his wrestlingGetty
He’s the new UFC bantamweight championGetty
