02:28Mandatory credit: UFC. No social media use
Georgian professional mixed martial artist Merab Dvalishvili spoke at a press conference in Las Vegas on Sunday after dethroning American fighter Sean O'Malley by unanimous decision to win the UFC bantamweight title.
"First emotion was crazy. I cannot control myself. When Herb Dean (referee) wrapped the belt on me, I can't... and when I get up, I realise Dean has already left. I wish, you know, I wanted to shake his hand and feel it," Dvalishvili said.
"Now I realise. Feels great, man, like I beat the other guys, three former champions, Sean is fourth. So, normal day. Like a normal day, just I have a belt today, that's it," he continued.
Dvalishvili said he was 'ready for war' and knew how to handle O'Malley's more conservative tactics and dominate his opponent for most of the 25-minute bout.
"He wasn't coming. He was waiting for me," he said. "I try to do same, you know, like if you don't want to come to me, I'm not going to come. So, nothing surprised me."
The Georgian champion also addressed a heated exchange with O'Malley's coach, Tim Welch, which prompted referee Herb Dean to issue a warning.
"He was talking sh*t on me," Dvalishvili said. "I told him to stop it, and nobody was telling him to stop. He was just keep doing this, you know. If you do the same thing in basketball or soccer, they will do disqualification for you."
Finally, Dvalishvili said he was proud to fight and 'die' for his country and hopes to inspire 'young kids' in Georgia.
"That's all we're about man. Now today, everybody is happy in Georgia, and I'm glad I did this, make my country proud and happy," he said. "It's only beginning. I'm only getting better and I will continue do same thing for my country."
Sean O'Malley did not attend the press conference. However, he released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) saying: "Over promised under delivered. Sorry. Love you guys."
Dvalishvili's triumph over O'Malley marks his 11th consecutive win and the first time he has been crowned a UFC champion. Judges scored the fight 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47 in his favour.
'I was ready for war!' - Georgian fighter Dvalishvili defeats O'Malley to win UFC bantamweight title
Georgian professional mixed martial artist Merab Dvalishvili spoke at a press conference in Las Vegas on Sunday after dethroning American fighter Sean O'Malley by unanimous decision to win the UFC bantamweight title.
"First emotion was crazy. I cannot control myself. When Herb Dean (referee) wrapped the belt on me, I can't... and when I get up, I realise Dean has already left. I wish, you know, I wanted to shake his hand and feel it," Dvalishvili said.
"Now I realise. Feels great, man, like I beat the other guys, three former champions, Sean is fourth. So, normal day. Like a normal day, just I have a belt today, that's it," he continued.
Dvalishvili said he was 'ready for war' and knew how to handle O'Malley's more conservative tactics and dominate his opponent for most of the 25-minute bout.
"He wasn't coming. He was waiting for me," he said. "I try to do same, you know, like if you don't want to come to me, I'm not going to come. So, nothing surprised me."
The Georgian champion also addressed a heated exchange with O'Malley's coach, Tim Welch, which prompted referee Herb Dean to issue a warning.
"He was talking sh*t on me," Dvalishvili said. "I told him to stop it, and nobody was telling him to stop. He was just keep doing this, you know. If you do the same thing in basketball or soccer, they will do disqualification for you."
Finally, Dvalishvili said he was proud to fight and 'die' for his country and hopes to inspire 'young kids' in Georgia.
"That's all we're about man. Now today, everybody is happy in Georgia, and I'm glad I did this, make my country proud and happy," he said. "It's only beginning. I'm only getting better and I will continue do same thing for my country."
Sean O'Malley did not attend the press conference. However, he released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) saying: "Over promised under delivered. Sorry. Love you guys."
Dvalishvili's triumph over O'Malley marks his 11th consecutive win and the first time he has been crowned a UFC champion. Judges scored the fight 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47 in his favour.
Mandatory credit: UFC. No social media use
Georgian professional mixed martial artist Merab Dvalishvili spoke at a press conference in Las Vegas on Sunday after dethroning American fighter Sean O'Malley by unanimous decision to win the UFC bantamweight title.
"First emotion was crazy. I cannot control myself. When Herb Dean (referee) wrapped the belt on me, I can't... and when I get up, I realise Dean has already left. I wish, you know, I wanted to shake his hand and feel it," Dvalishvili said.
"Now I realise. Feels great, man, like I beat the other guys, three former champions, Sean is fourth. So, normal day. Like a normal day, just I have a belt today, that's it," he continued.
Dvalishvili said he was 'ready for war' and knew how to handle O'Malley's more conservative tactics and dominate his opponent for most of the 25-minute bout.
"He wasn't coming. He was waiting for me," he said. "I try to do same, you know, like if you don't want to come to me, I'm not going to come. So, nothing surprised me."
The Georgian champion also addressed a heated exchange with O'Malley's coach, Tim Welch, which prompted referee Herb Dean to issue a warning.
"He was talking sh*t on me," Dvalishvili said. "I told him to stop it, and nobody was telling him to stop. He was just keep doing this, you know. If you do the same thing in basketball or soccer, they will do disqualification for you."
Finally, Dvalishvili said he was proud to fight and 'die' for his country and hopes to inspire 'young kids' in Georgia.
"That's all we're about man. Now today, everybody is happy in Georgia, and I'm glad I did this, make my country proud and happy," he said. "It's only beginning. I'm only getting better and I will continue do same thing for my country."
Sean O'Malley did not attend the press conference. However, he released a statement on X (formerly Twitter) saying: "Over promised under delivered. Sorry. Love you guys."
Dvalishvili's triumph over O'Malley marks his 11th consecutive win and the first time he has been crowned a UFC champion. Judges scored the fight 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47 in his favour.