Odds on Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov Following UFC 306 Win

Merab Dvalishvili dominated Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 last night, earning the title of UFC bantamweight champion.

The judges scored it 49-46, 48-47 and 48-47 in favor of Dvalishvili (18-4), a 33-year-old from the country of Georgia. He used a ground-and-pound attack to control most of the action against O’Malley (18-2).

O’Malley, 29, was a slight -125 favorit

“Now look at me,” Dvalishvili said. “I’m a UFC champion and I’m living my dream. I inspire so many people in my country and around the world.”

Umar Nurmagomedov congratulated Merab after the fight, but also took a jab at the champ and said in the future, "I hope [Dvalishvili] won't avoid the real challenger. In any case, I'm ready."

BetOnline.ag jumped on the chance of a potential Dvalishvili-Nurmagomedov bout, releasing odds late Saturday night, which have initially moved toward the underdog.

Merab Dvalishvili          +155

Umar Nurmagomedov   -180

(NOTE: The line opened Umar -200, Merab +170)

Dvalishvili did push back a bit on Nurmagomedov being his next fight.

“Let’s leave it like this, I’ve just won the belt,” said Dvalishvili in an interview with Joe Rogan following Saturday night's fight.

“Whoever they want, I will fight next, but I want to talk to Dana, I want to become his friend… I want to fight the top of the top, you know. I think Figueredo would be my fifth champion, he is more dangerous, knockout power, good Jiu-Jitsu makes people [go to] sleep.

“That’s why this fight excites me, gives me motivation, makes me work hard… Umar is okay but I’m telling you guys, from the top 15 he’s only won one fight.”