Sean
O’Malley thinks Petr Yan will
do better to fight him instead of Merab
Dvalishvili after the champion’s recent back surgery.
Yan recently underwent a lumbar spine surgery and is expected to
return this summer. While Yan said that it was a “minor” surgery,
he needed nine hours of anaesthesia. Yan is expected to put his
title on the line in a rematch against Dvalishvili upon his return.
However, O’Malley advises Yan not to return soon from the surgery
against Dvalishvili. O’Malley believes Yan could be compromised
against Dvalishvili, who is known for relentless grappling.
O’Malley wants Yan to fight him instead, as “Suga” is not exactly
known for his wrestling.
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“I want Petr Yan
next,” O’Malley said on YouTube. “I hate the idea of him coming off
back surgery and fighting Merab… You’re gonna f—-ing fight Merab
within a year after back surgery? It sounds like a f—-ing terrible
mistake… I’m not gonna go out there and try to shoot and wrestle
him. Why would you fight Merab after back surgery when you can
fight me? I suck at wrestling. I can’t grapple, I’m 1-2 in my last
three.”
Yan (20-5) outclassed Dvalishvili (21-5) in every aspect to win the
title at
UFC 323 last year. Dvalishvili won the title against O’Malley
in 2024 and defended it thrice last year before losing to Yan.
Meanwhile, O’Malley (19-3) rebounded from back-to-back title losses
against Dvalishvili with a win over Yadong Song
at UFC 324
last month.
Sean O’Malley warns Petr Yan
against taking on Merab so soon after back surgery.„I hate the idea of Petr coming off back surgery and fighting
Merab. You’re gonna fight Merab within a year after back surgery?
It sounds like a terrible mistake. I’m not gonna go out there and
try… pic.twitter.com/9hyFOMORrK— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA)
February 10, 2026