Merab Dvalishvili captured the UFC bantamweight championship at Noche UFC 306, and while it was a dominant performance, it also came with one of the most bizarre openings to a fight in recent memory.
In the opening seconds, Dvalishvili could be seen mouthing off, but it wasn't to opponent O'Malley. Rather, the Georgian challenger appeared to be in an argument with the champion's corner, particularly his coach Tim Welch.
Referee Herb Dean brought a swift halt to the bout to warn Dvalishvili for talking to O'Malley's corner. Dean also gave a warning to Welch for what commentators referred to as "excessive coaching." Dean would warn O'Malley's corner later on in the fight.
The bizarre nature of the pause left many fans confused and looking for clarification. This came especially when the UFC commentary team mentioned that O'Malley's corner may have initiated the conversation with the title challenger.
On social media the following day, Welch provided clarification on what he was saying.
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Tim Welch Reveals What He Told Merab Dvalishvili, Tips His Cap To The New Bantamweight Champion
This is not the first time O'Malley's corner has been at the center of controversy for talking with a fighter.
As shown by the UFC documentary on Roku earlier this year, O'Malley's corner appeared to communicate with Aljamain Sterling when O'Malley challenged him for the bantamweight title in the main event of UFC 292. "Sugar" to connect with Sterling not long after and finished the fight from there.
On this occasion, O'Malley struggled with the grappling expertise of Dvalishvili, Sterling's friend and teammate, as he was taken down several times and nearly submitted in a unanimous decision.
O'Malley had successfully defended the title just once, defeating longtime rival Marlon "Chito" Vera at UFC 299.
Dvalishvili, meanwhile, has now won 11 straight fights inside the Octagon.