Merab Dvalishvili Wins Bantamweight Championship at UFC 306

Merab Dvalishvili captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship at UFC 306 by defeating Sean O'Malley in a unanimous decision, showcasing his superior grappling and endurance. Controversy arose during the fight after Dvalishvili kissed O'Malley's back, raising questions about potential penalties, which former referee John McCarthy stated could have resulted in point deductions. Following the match, Dvalishvili expressed reluctance to fight Umar Nurmagomedov, alleging UFC bias towards the Dagestani fighter and favoring a bout with Deiveson Figueiredo instead. TJ Dillashaw lauded Dvalishvili's performance, noting he made O'Malley appear weak, while O'Malley struggled to handle his defeat, initially gracious but later expressing frustration and regret about his performance. O'Malley announced a likely extended hiatus from fighting to recover from injuries, further complicating his future in the octagon. The developments highlight Dvalishvili's ascent in the bantamweight division and O'Malley's challenges post-title loss.