Overview

• Merab Dvalishvili will defend his UFC bantamweight title against Sean O’Malley on June 7 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
• Dvalishvili revealed two weeks ago that he broke his pinky toe in training and his coach has downplayed its severity ahead of fight week.
• Former champion Sean O’Malley has given up social media and marijuana use to sharpen his focus for what could be a full 25-minute title rematch.
• O’Malley is training with former UFC champions Demetrious Johnson to bolster his grappling and Israel Adesanya to enhance his striking strategy.
• Choosing Newark as his venue provides Dvalishvili with a home-turf boost supported by a sizable Georgian community.