Dana White hints at Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley UFC title rematch

Dana White has hinted that a bantamweight title rematch between Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley is next.

After Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) took the belt from O’Malley (18 MMA, 10-2 UFC) at UFC 306 in September by unanimous decision, he went on to log his first defense in January against Umar Nurmagomedov.

Former champ O’Malley has been on the sidelines recovering from a hip surgery to repair a torn labrum issue he claims he carried into the octagon when he lost the belt to Dvalishvili.

As White make plans for what comes next at 135 pounds, he said he thinks the fighters and fans both have a strong appetite for a rematch.

“They want to fight each other,” White told MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight at UFC Fight Night 252 in Seattle this past weekend. “I think people want to see it.”

Dvalishvili defeated O’Malley with 48-47, 48-47 and 49-46 scorecards in their first meeting. Dvalishvili landed six takedowns, racked up more than 10 minutes of control time and outlanded O’Malley in total strikes 214-49.

Despite those statistics, O’Malley has argued he deserved the victory at UFC 306, and appears keen to prove it in a rematch.