Joe Rogan Reacts to Merab Dvalishvili Submission Victory Over Sean O’Malley at UFC 316! “MERAB IS AN ANIMAL!”

The UFC world is buzzing with excitement after Merab Dvalishvili’s stunning submission victory over Sean O’Malley at UFC 316, and Joe Rogan is leading the charge with an electrifying reaction. Moments after the Georgian fighter tapped out O’Malley with a brutal north-south choke in Round 3, Rogan exploded with praise, shouting, “Merab is an animal!”—a declaration that has set social media ablaze and cemented Dvalishvili’s dominance in the bantamweight division.

A Victory That Shocked the Octagon

At 11:55 PM +07 on June 7, 2025, inside the sold-out Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, Dvalishvili (20-4) defended his UFC bantamweight title in a rematch that lived up to its hype. After fending off O’Malley’s improved takedown defense for two rounds, Dvalishvili unleashed a relentless flurry, securing the choke at 4:42 of Round 3. The finish marked his first UFC submission win, a testament to his evolving skill set and unbreakable stamina. O’Malley (18-3, 1 NC), visibly exhausted, tapped out, ending his bid to reclaim the belt he lost to Dvalishvili at UFC 306.

Rogan, commentating live, was visibly stunned. “I’ve been saying it for weeks—Merab’s a freak of nature,” he said during the post-fight interview. “That choke came out of nowhere, and the way he just smothered Sean? Unbelievable. Merab is an animal!”

Rogan’s Pre-Fight Doubts Turned to Awe

Before UFC 316, Rogan had expressed skepticism about O’Malley’s ability to counter Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure, calling the champion “superhuman” on The Joe Rogan Experience. He praised O’Malley’s lifestyle changes—quitting social media and fixing his hip injury—but doubted the striker could withstand “The Machine’s” cardio. “I didn’t think Sean could keep him off,” Rogan admitted post-fight. “But that submission? I was wrong—Merab’s not just an animal, he’s a predator with new tricks.”

The victory followed Dvalishvili’s dominant performance against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311, reinforcing his 12-fight win streak. Fans on social media echoed Rogan’s sentiment, with posts hailing Dvalishvili’s “insane evolution” and O’Malley’s struggle against the champ’s unorthodox style.

O’Malley’s Fall and Dvalishvili’s Rise

O’Malley, who entered with high hopes after recovering from surgery, showcased resilience early, defending six of eight takedown attempts. But Dvalishvili’s relentless pace—landing 47% of his strikes—proved too much. Post-fight, O’Malley conceded, “I gave it everything, but Merab’s a monster,” while Dvalishvili called out Cory Sandhagen as his next target, saying, “I’ve got more tools to show!”

Rogan’s excitement peaked during the octagon interview, where he grilled Dvalishvili about the choke. “You’ve got the cardio of a machine, but that finish? Where did that come from?” Rogan asked, to which Dvalishvili grinned, “I’ve been working on it—more surprises coming!”

The Aftermath and What’s Next

The win has solidified Dvalishvili’s status as a top contender, with PPV buys surpassing 600,000, making UFC 316 one of the year’s biggest events. Rogan predicted, “This guy’s rewriting the bantamweight history books. Sean’s tough, but Merab’s on another level.” Speculation is rife about a Sandhagen fight, with odds shifting to favor Dvalishvili at -400.

As the dust settles, the MMA community is abuzz with Rogan’s viral reaction, cementing UFC 316 as a night to remember.

What do you think? Can anyone stop Merab’s reign, or is he truly unstoppable? Share your thoughts below!