Merab Dvalishvili Stuns Fans with Bizarre Mid-Fight Kiss on Sean O’Malley at UFC 306

Sean O’Malley entered UFC 306 prepared for a fierce battle against Merab Dvalishvili, expecting to face relentless takedown attempts and a barrage of punches. However, what the bantamweight champ didn’t anticipate was receiving a series of kisses from the Georgian fighter during their historic showdown at the Sin City Sphere early this morning.

Dvalishvili locked horns with O’Malley in the main event of UFC 306, and from the start, his wrestling-heavy style dominated the bantamweight champion. The relentless Georgian controlled the fight with his suffocating grappling and cardio, ultimately securing a unanimous decision victory. The win ended O’Malley’s reign as the 135-pound king, marking Dvalishvili’s ascent to UFC gold.

The most surprising moment of the fight came at the end of the second round when Dvalishvili, feeling confident, repeatedly kissed O’Malley’s back while holding him in a guillotine choke. With seconds remaining, Dvalishvili mistakenly thought the round had ended, released the submission, and nearly paid the price as O’Malley landed two punches in quick succession. The bizarre mid-fight kiss left fans and commentators stunned, turning an already heated contest into a spectacle.

At the post-fight press conference, Dvalishvili addressed the controversial moment. “I grabbed his neck, and he had 10 seconds left,” he said. “I knew he wouldn’t tap or go to sleep, so I decided to have a little fun. I don’t hate the guy; it was just to show I was dominating the fight. That’s why I kissed him.”

Dvalishvili admitted to losing track of time and getting too caught up in the moment. “When I let go, he followed me and punched the back of my head, and I had to protect myself again,” he added, acknowledging his lapse in focus.

UFC President Dana White also weighed in on Dvalishvili’s antics. “The kissing on the back, walking away right before the bell—I have no idea why he did that,” White said during the post-fight press conference. “Merab does some crazy stuff, you know? It was weird but not shocking.”

Known for his unconventional moments, Dvalishvili’s kiss was not his first bizarre in-fight action. During UFC 298, he famously attempted to converse with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, who was sitting cageside. This time, his actions left even seasoned MMA fans in disbelief, with some calling the gesture disrespectful while others found it entertaining.

With his victory over O’Malley, Dvalishvili became the second Georgian-born UFC champion, following Ilia Topuria’s featherweight title win earlier this year. As he begins his reign, Dvalishvili is expected to face Umar Nurmagomedov, an undefeated contender and cousin of UFC legend Khabib Nurmagomedov, for his first title defense.

As Dvalishvili’s journey as bantamweight champion continues, fans can anticipate more unexpected moments and thrilling fights. Stay tuned for more updates on Dvalishvili’s title defense and the latest in the UFC world.