UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili is determined to keep his momentum going in 2025. ‘The Machine’ will defend his 135lbs crown against the undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311. With the stakes high for this highly anticipated fight, the reigning champion remains unfazed by the pressure. As the toughest battle of his professional career approaches, he’s already planning his next steps after the first PPV of the year.

In a recent interview with social media influencer The Schmo, Dvalishvili shared his plans for the next five to six months. Although he hadn’t initially intended to return to the Octagon until February or March, the 34-year-old is eager to remain active. “I want to stay busy,” Merab said, explaining that he hopes to fight again in both March and April. “Whoever is ready for March, you know, they’ll have a fight in Vegas, and I would love to fight there. If (Sean) O’Malley comes back in March, I will fight,” the 135lbs king explained.

Furthermore, Dvalishvili didn’t stop there. He also mentioned other top bantamweight contenders, including Petr Yan and Mario Bautista. However, he made it clear that his preferred opponent is Sean O’Malley. The pair headlined the historic UFC 306 at The Sphere, an event more remembered for its architectural marvel than its underwhelming fight card.

In that bout, ‘The Machine’ triumphed over ‘Suga’ in a dominant five-round battle, claiming a unanimous decision victory, as O’Malley’s “lackluster” performance struggled to match Merab’s relentless wrestling. Since then, O’Malley has been calling for a rematch, though injuries have prevented the fight from happening. Now, as the former champion recovers, he has recently revealed his potential return timeline and discussed possible opponents. Let’s read on to learn more.

Umar Nurmagomedov or Merab Dvalishvili? Whom does Sean O’Malley want next?

For former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, the focus isn’t so much on who his next opponent will be but on reclaiming the title he once held. ‘Suga’ briefly enjoyed the title after dethroning the then-champion Aljamain Sterling, and defending it against Marlon Vera. However, Merab Dvalishvili ended ‘Suga’s’ reign in his second title defense.

Now, O’Malley’s sole focus is getting the strap back, no matter who holds it—whether it’s Merab Dvalishvili or Umar Nurmagomedov. In his latest appearance promoting a RIZIN event in Japan, O’Malley spoke about his plans, saying, “Ideally, Merab beats Umar and I get the rematch. But if it has to be Umar, that’s what I want next: a title fight, hopefully mid-next year. So, the winner of that one is coming up very, very soon.”

What are your thoughts on the upcoming fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Umar Nurmagomedov? Do you think ‘The Machine’ will successfully defend his bantamweight title at UFC 311? And if he does, do you believe he can continue to defend it successfully against the top bantamweight contenders in the future? Share your opinion below!