Sean O’Malley’s coach, Tim Welch, is giving Merab Dvalishvili high praise ahead of UFC 316.
O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) will look to avenge his bantamweight title loss to Dvalishvili at UFC 306 when the pair run things back in the June 7 headliner at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Dvalishvili’s (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) resume includes wins over former UFC champions Jose Aldo, Petr Yan, Henry Cejudo, and O’Malley. His first title defense came in a win against formerly unbeaten Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January.
Welch thinks there’s no debate that Dvalishvili is the greatest bantamweight of all time.
“I don’t really know how you debate that Merab’s not the best now of all time,” Welch told ESPN. “Just look at his record. Has there ever been a bantamweight who’s beat that many champions in a row? I don’t think there has. So, it’s pretty easy to say that Merab’s the best bantamweight ever right now.”
O’Malley went into his first fight against Dvalishvili with a hip injury, which he later underwent surgery for. Welch thinks this time his star student will be able to better prepare for Dvalishvili’s stifling game plan.
“We’re preparing for the worst,” Welch said. “We’re preparing to be stuck on bottom in half-guard, we’re preparing to be stuck on bottom in the guard, we’re preparing to be against the fence and Merab just grinding on you. We’re preparing for the worst, and last time, we didn’t get to prepare for the worst. Will it make a difference this fight? I think it will, but we’ll find out I guess.”