Despite their recent title clash, a surprising amount of camaraderie was on display when Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili crossed paths at the UFC Performance Institute. With a rematch looming, the two bantamweight stars exchanged words of respect and playful banter, hinting at what fans can expect in their highly anticipated second encounter.

Dvalishvili, who dethroned O’Malley at UFC 306, further solidified his championship status with a dominant victory over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.1 With UFC CEO Dana White openly discussing a rematch, the meeting at the PI served as a preview of the dynamic between the two fighters.

O’Malley, known for his striking prowess, was quick to acknowledge Dvalishvili’s impressive performance against Nurmagomedov. “Your last fight was impressive, you looked good,” O’Malley said on his YouTube channel. “That was a fun fight to watch. That was very fun.”

Dvalishvili, in turn, reciprocated the respect, acknowledging O’Malley’s striking threat. “I respect you, man, as a fighter,” Dvalishvili said. “When we’re going to fight, I know you hit hard, and I know you’re going to change your plan.”

O’Malley, who revealed he fought their first bout with a torn labrum in his hip, jokingly alluded to his improved physical condition. “I only had one hip last time,” O’Malley responded. “I’ve got both hips now.” This subtle jab hinted at a potentially different outcome in the rematch, with O’Malley suggesting he’ll be a more formidable opponent with both hips fully functional.

Dvalishvili’s dominant grappling display in their first encounter, which included six takedowns and over 10 minutes of control time, has led many to believe he’ll employ a similar strategy in the rematch. However, “The Machine” teased a shift in his approach. “Now I’m going to use my striking,” Dvalishvili said. “You think no? You think I’m not? Bro, you see me fight with Umar? I was striking.”

O’Malley, clearly amused by Dvalishvili’s claim, responded with a playful laugh. This exchange highlighted the intriguing dynamic between the two fighters, with Dvalishvili suggesting a more diverse game plan and O’Malley seemingly skeptical.

The meeting at the PI served as a reminder that even fierce rivals can share a mutual respect. While their rematch is expected to be a high-stakes battle for the bantamweight title, the interaction between O’Malley and Dvalishvili suggests a level of sportsmanship that extends beyond the Octagon. As fans eagerly await the official announcement of their rematch, the playful banter and mutual respect displayed at the PI have only heightened the anticipation.