We are just mere days away from witnessing one of the biggest fights in the bantamweight division as Sean O’Malley will be defending his bantamweight gold against Georgian contender Merab Dvalishvili. ‘The Ma͏chine’ is͏ ridin͏g an im͏pressive 10-fight winning streak and poses a significant threat ͏to O’M͏alley. Unlik͏e ‘Suga,’ who relies on striking, the Georgian fighter e͏mploys͏ a wrestli͏ng-heavy approach to sub͏due his oppon͏ent͏s. Interestingly, Joe Rogan has raised alarms for the undisputed champion due to this.

Dvalishvili dominated former dual weight champion, Henry Cejudo at UFC 298 to set claim as the number one contender for the bantamweight title and since then there has been an active animosity between the O’Malley and him. Regardless, the multi-million dollar podcaster believes that the ‘Machine’s gas tank is as big as the actual tank. Let’s have a look at what Rogan is on about.

Joe Rogan thinks Merab Dvalishvili’s cardio is on a whole other level

Sean O’Malley’s pin-point striking is one of the most lethal weapons not only in the bantamweight division but within the realm of the promotion as well. The bantamweight champion redeemed his sole loss against Marlon Vera when he defeated him at UFC 299. However, his victory witnessed a challenge from wrestling-heavy Merab Dvalishvili. O’Malley’s striking can be countered with Dvalishvili’s wrestling as per many MMA pundits including Joe Rogan.

Why? Well, one of the things that helps Dvalishvili stand out the most is his cardio. The fighter can fight for an entire match without breaking a sweat as we all witnessed in his fight against Henry Cejudo. The promotion recently released a promotional video for the upcoming UFC 306 and in one of its montages, we can witness Rogan stating that ‘Machine’s pace is out of this world and it is needed to be studied.

“The pace of Merab Dvalishvili is something to behold; it is a weapon. His drive and will to win are second to none. This guy is a real problem to anybody because he doesn’t get tired,” said Rogan. Well, that’s not all as in another video, Rogan explained what makes Dvalishvili a scary fighter within the division.

“How many bantamweights are looking at this right now going ‘that [Merab] is a nightmare’… This guy [O’Malley] can fight, he is a sniper. This kid is a savage…Merab is an absolute monster… The speed of O’Malley is something to behold,” said Rogan. Despite the constant praises for Merab Dvalishvili, ‘Suga’ is not in the mood to acknowledge the Georgian.

Sean O’Malley believes that he is a nightmare for Dvalishvili

With a record of 18 victories and only 1 defeat, Sean O’Malley is one of the most accomplished fighters in the division, and defeating him is no easy task even for someone who is riding a 10-fight winning streak. ‘Suga’ knows that Dvalishvili is a dangerous fighter, “He’s [Merab’s] as dangerous as it gets. Cardio machine. He doesn’t get tired. He’s been rocked a few times, but he’s got a good chin.”  But despite that, it will be him to stand at the pinnacle of this division as stated by the undisputed champ.

“He’s ranked number one. He’s on a 10-fight win streak,” O’Malley in a conversation with TMZ Sports. He further added, “The only reason he’s never fought for a title or was never the champion is because Aljamain Sterling was there. I would say stylistically I’m a nightmare match-up for Merab.”

Both the fighters believe that they are the absolute nightmares of each other but whose words are the truth? Well, it would be unboxed soon. Regardless, what’s your take on Merab Dvalishvili’s statement? State your thoughts in the comments below.