Dvalishvili Shuts Down O’Malley’s 'Bright Lights' Theory Ahead of UFC 316 Rematch

[Kowboy On Sherdog]

​

Merab Dvalishvili dismisses 'bright lights' reasoning from O’Malley’s team: 'Same lights for both of us.'

"We were both in the same situation, and before the fight, everybody was like, ‘Oh, how are you gonna fight in the Sphere? It's gonna be too bright and full of… pic.twitter.com/mlaG8zHlll

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) May 27, 2025

Merab Dvalishvili doesn’t think the lighting played any role in his win over Sean O'Malley at the Sphere last year.

Dvalishvili dethroned O’Malley via a dominant unanimous decision in the main event at UFC 306 in September 2024. The card, also billed as Noche UFC, was a one-of-a-kind affair dedicated to celebrating Mexico’s contribution to combat sports.

O’Malley’s coach, Tim Welch, recently said that his fighter couldn’t land shots as the lights were too bright at the venue. Dvalishvili brushed off this theory, saying the lights were equally bright for everyone. The champ admits that there were widespread concerns about the unusual venue going into UFC 306. However, Dvalishvili wasn’t worried, as it would be a level playing ground for both parties in any case. And the Georgian was unexpectedly impressed with the venue, as the crowd was seated far away, allowing clear communication between the fighters and corners.

“Before the fight everybody was, ‘Oh how are you gonna fight in Sphere? It’s gonna be too much bright, too much light, different.’ And I said, ‘We both will be in same situation.’ And I was not [worried] about it. And actually when I got in arena, that was the best arena I ever fought… Crowd was far away, and it was just me and Sean. And I can hear my corner and his corner very well,” Dvalishvili said on the "Believe You Me” podcast.

If lights were really bothering O’Malley, he now gets a chance to prove so when he challenges Dvalishvili in a rematch at UFC 316 on June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

READ HERE

https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Dvalishvili-Shuts-Down-OMalleys-Bright-Lights-Theory-Ahead-of-UFC-316-Rematch-197107

Spoiler

@HHJ

@fujitsugroundnpound

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[mkess101]

For anyone who's ever fought (or even trained)...you'll know what I'm saying here:


The psychological advantage Merab has going into fights KNOWING he will not get tired at all can't be overstated. The thing I feared most in competition was being gassed. Because it makes everything else irrelevant. Being able to go into a fight knowing that no matter how hard you push a pace, no matter how frenetic a fight is...you'll have more in the tank than your opponent? What a feeling that must be.

 

[alchemy]

The "bright lights" theory is possibly the most retarded excuse I've ever heard. I just can't believe people can state something like this and pretend to be serious.

 

[Mohawk Banditó]

Merab was just too small to get hit by the lights at the angles they were shining. It's like how Sean can tell the sun is rising because it hits him first a full 5 minutes before Merab

 

[VinceArch]

This is such a stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid rematch.

 

[Neck&Neck]

Merab is a certified gremlin and bright light is a gremlins worst enemy
So it couldn't of been that bad

 

[Bowel-forged Stool]

Merab was just too small to get hit by the lights at the angles they were shining. It's like how Sean can tell the sun is rising because it hits him first a full 5 minutes before Merab

The lights shined off merab’s bald spot and the colors in O’Malley’s hair had em hypnotized

 

[Get To Da Choppa]

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Merab Dvalishvili doesn’t think the lighting played any role in his win over Sean O'Malley at the Sphere last year.

Dvalishvili dethroned O’Malley via a dominant unanimous decision in the main event at UFC 306 in September 2024. The card, also billed as Noche UFC, was a one-of-a-kind affair dedicated to celebrating Mexico’s contribution to combat sports.

O’Malley’s coach, Tim Welch, recently said that his fighter couldn’t land shots as the lights were too bright at the venue. Dvalishvili brushed off this theory, saying the lights were equally bright for everyone. The champ admits that there were widespread concerns about the unusual venue going into UFC 306. However, Dvalishvili wasn’t worried, as it would be a level playing ground for both parties in any case. And the Georgian was unexpectedly impressed with the venue, as the crowd was seated far away, allowing clear communication between the fighters and corners.

“Before the fight everybody was, ‘Oh how are you gonna fight in Sphere? It’s gonna be too much bright, too much light, different.’ And I said, ‘We both will be in same situation.’ And I was not [worried] about it. And actually when I got in arena, that was the best arena I ever fought… Crowd was far away, and it was just me and Sean. And I can hear my corner and his corner very well,” Dvalishvili said on the "Believe You Me” podcast.

If lights were really bothering O’Malley, he now gets a chance to prove so when he challenges Dvalishvili in a rematch at UFC 316 on June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

READ HERE

https://www.sherdog.com/news/news/Dvalishvili-Shuts-Down-OMalleys-Bright-Lights-Theory-Ahead-of-UFC-316-Rematch-197107

Spoiler

@HHJ

@fujitsugroundnpound

@Neck&Neck
@Arqueto @BroRogan @Carl Drogo @lsa
@StonedLemur @Fight Professor @TerrorTimmy @Elvis. @ryun253 @don't ask @C0NCH3TO @MEAN357 @Cooliox @mudrubble @Bobby Boulders @Simple Southerner @svmr_db @Luthien @BoxerMaurits @Neck&Neck @SeattleFightFan @Ares Black @SalvadorAllende @Arm Barbarian @Blanqa Blanqua @Royce's Gi @Cooliox @Krixes @MXZT @wisdom blows @nonoob @Mohawk Banditó @JKS @SuperNerd @2004 account @Mammothman @Bushwhacker B @Siver! @TITS @Cowboy Kurt Angle @Jose Beehive @MEAN357 @NoBiasJustMMA @FlyingDeathKick @Doughie99 @13Seconds @CPH @Kenny Powerth @OldBoy91 @Kryptt @Paynebringer @HI SCOTT NEWMAN @Poirierfan @SenorFranko @MMALOPEZ @Hellowhosthat @Get To Da Choppa @BangBang @Substance Abuse @John makfresshi @Islam Imamate @Wong_Wongster_Irish @TCE @Jackonfire @helax @Iroh

Sean would say that he's much taller and not a midget like Merab, and thus closer to the bright blinding lights, so he's more affected by the lights

 

[WoozyFailGuy]

How funny would it be if a ridiculously overroided O'Malley, clearly heavier than 135 showed up, with the UFC trying to act completely oblivious

 

[Thy]

omalley the kinda dude who wears shades indoors i guess.

 

[Guy LeDouche]

How funny would it be if a ridiculously overroided O'Malley, clearly heavier than 135 showed up, with the UFC trying to act completely oblivious

Shit not the first time they’ve done it.
….hell it wouldn’t even be the first time they’ve used shenanigans on Omalley