Sun Sep 15 12:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Quirky Champion: Dvalishvili Kisses O’Malley in Bizarre UFC Title Win

Merab Dvalishvili secured the bantamweight title at UFC 306 with a dominant decision victory over Sean O’Malley, but the fight wasn’t without its share of unusual moments.

In the second round, Dvalishvili, known for his playful personality, took things a step further by kissing O’Malley’s back during a grappling exchange against the fence.

“I wanted to make just a little fun of him,” Dvalishvili explained, adding that he aimed to show his dominance with the unexpected move.

The bizarre moment even caught the attention of referee Herb Dean, who admonished Dvalishvili for losing track of time. This wasn’t the only time Dean had to address Dvalishvili, as the fighter also exchanged words with O’Malley’s coach, Tim Welch, at the start of the fight.

Despite the unusual occurrences, Dvalishvili remained focused, ultimately winning the fight and claiming the title. UFC CEO Dana White, while amused by the incident, chalked it up to Dvalishvili’s eccentric personality.

Dvalishvili’s next challenger appears to be undefeated contender Umar Nurmagomedov, who was present at the event. However, Dvalishvili believes Nurmagomedov needs another test before a title shot, suggesting a fight against Petr Yan.

The bizarre kissing incident aside, Dvalishvili’s victory cemented his status as a champion, and his quirky personality has become a trademark of his fighting style.

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