Merab Dvalishvili needs to 'eat some punches' to beat Sean O'Malley at UFC 306, says coach

For Ray Longo, his pupil will need to put himself in danger to leave with the belt

Merab Dvalishvili in victory at UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @UFC

Merab Dvalishvili in victory in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter @UFC

The expectation for the bantamweight belt dispute (up to 61,2 kg) between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O'Malley in UFC 306 is immense. And as the date of the confrontation approaches, the analyses and predictions intensify. In an interview with the podcast 'Jon Anik and Kenny Florian', Ray Longo, head coach of the Georgian, revealed crucial details about the strategy to beat the champion.

The Georgian's head coach, Longo, claims that his pupil needs to enter the octagon willing to take risks and aware that he will receive strong blows from O'Malley. The aim is to bring the belt back to the 'Serra-Longo Fight Team', which had aljamain sterling at the top before the reign of the current champion.

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Sean O'Malley is UFC champion. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram @sugasean
Dana White in a post-Contender Series interview. (Photo: Reproduction/Youtube)

“He’s going to have to eat some punches to win this fight – period. O’Malley is a sharpshooter. If you go in there thinking you’re not going to get hit or you’re going to do this or that, that’s a big mistake.”

Still discussing the technical aspects involved in the title dispute, Longo recognized the clash of styles brought by each athlete.

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“I think O'Malley is very good. I don't think O'Malley has ever faced anyone with the pressure of Merab, and I don't think Merab has ever fought anyone with the length, accuracy and power of O'Malley,” he concluded.

Sean O'Malley x Merab Dvalishvili

Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili star in the main fight of the UFC 306, the organization's first event in the Sphere and which promises to mark the history of MMA.

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Packed after knocking out aljamain sterling and defend his title against Marlon Vera, 'Suga', as he is known, is looking to stop yet another challenger. On the other hand, the Georgian is one of the most feared fighters in the division, whose intense grappling style has yielded victories over big names such as José Aldo, Petr yan e Henry Cejudo.

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