Coach explains what Merab Dvalishvili needs to do to beat Sean O'Malley at UFC 306

Merab Dvalishvili must take punches to win UFC gold, says Ray Longo

Ray Longo is very familiar with preparing for Sean O'Malley. Things didn't go so well with Aljamain Sterling. Longo now believes he knows what Merab Dvalishvili has to do to beat the “Suga” show.

Here’s what Longo said on the “Anik and Florian Podcast” (h/t MMAJunkie.com).

“He's got to take some hits to win this fight – period,” Longo said on “The Anik & Florian Podcast” ahead of UFC 306. “O'Malley is a sharpshooter. If you go in there thinking you're not going to get hit or you're just going to do this or that, I think that's a big mistake.”

That's easier said than done, as O'Malley has proven he has power in his hands and is an accurate striker. It's no secret that a big part of Merab's game will be grappling. However, O'Malley has also proven he can stay on his feet.

Stay with BJPenn.com throughout fight week as we prepare for UFC 306.