Colorful champion Sean O’Malley takes on top contender Merab Dvalishvili in a highly anticipated battle for the UFC bantamweight title in the finals of UFC 306 on Saturday.

After claiming the belt with a second-round stoppage victory over Aljamain Sterling last August, O’Malley gained revenge for his only career loss in his first successful title defense, taking apart Marlon “Chito” Vera in five rounds to move to 18-1 with one undisputed victory in his career. The 29-year-old is one of the most talented strikers in the UFC today, combining incredible speed and fundamental skills with a keen sense of timing, exceptional footwork and uncanny finishing ability.

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It’s crazy to think that Dvalishvili started his UFC tenure with back-to-back losses, followed by competitive fights against the likes of Terrion Ware and Brad Katona, as he’s extended his winning streak to 10 over the past three years with dominant performances against Jose Aldo, Petr Yan and Henry Cejudo. “The Machine” is an absolute menace in both wrestling and conditioning, using each to wear down and break down opponents while consistently making strides in the striking department.

These two have been circling each other ever since O’Malley took on Sterling, who remains one of Dvalishvili’s closest friends and training partners. While there are personal tensions and a burgeoning rivalry between them, this is also an intoxicating stylistic clash in which one can see a clear path to victory for each man, while also imagining a scenario in which this turns into a breathtaking battle of wills.

However it ends, Saturday’s main event will be a milestone in the division and will set the tone for how things will play out in the ultra-competitive 135-pound class going forward.

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