Merab Dvalishvili says Sean O'Malley won't be his toughest opponent yet

Top UFC bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili knows he'll face a challenge this weekend, but he doesn't consider it the biggest he's faced yet.

Dvalishvili will march on Saturday night to headline Noche UFC (UFC 306) at The Sphere in Las Vegas, the promoter's second annual celebration of Mexican Independence Day.

The Georgian will fight for gold in the 135-pound division against reigning kingpin Sean O'Malley after earning his first title shot following ten consecutive wins on MMA's biggest stage.

In “Sugar,” Dvalishvili challenges a champion whose only career loss came shortly after a freak injury alongside Marlon Vera, a setback for which he emphatically avenged in five rounds against “Chito” last March.

This defense comes months after his memorable win over grappling specialist Aljamain Sterling, and many trust the Montana native to withstand the threat posed by “Funk Master’s” teammate on September 14th.

But Dvalishvili has vowed to take the belt back from O'Malley, and he doesn't even believe that doing so would be his biggest hurdle yet…

Dvalishvili chooses Aldo instead of O'Malley as toughest UFC opponent

In a recent interview with TMZ Sports, Dvalishvili looked ahead to the challenge that awaits him at the Sphere on Saturday night.

When asked if he was expecting the toughest test of his career, the Georgian instead referred to the legendary former featherweight champion and one-time bantamweight title challenger José Aldo.

“I don't think he's the toughest opponent because I fought Jose Aldo and I think he was the toughest opponent for me,” Dvalishvili said. “(O'Malley) is a new challenge and I have all the respect for him as a fighter. I know he's good. He's dangerous. He knocks people out. He's got the skill, the power and everything else. But I know that too.”

O'Malley will no doubt hope to disprove those comments by delivering another impressive title defense this weekend at Fight Night in Las Vegas, where both the UFC and boxing star Canelo Álvarez plan to celebrate Mexican Independence Day with standout events in the “Fight Capital of the World.”