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Carolina Hurricanes Crash Out Again as Panthers Prove Eastern Conference Supremacy

Despite a promising push late in the series, Hurricanes’ slow start and missed chances allow Panthers to advance to third straight Final.

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Panthers celebrate as Hurricanes exit Eastern Final again, undone by slow series start and Barkov’s brilliance in Game 5 decider. ( Source : ABC11 )

For the Carolina Hurricanes, history has repeated itself — painfully. For the second time in three seasons, they’ve been eliminated from the Eastern Conference Final by the Florida Panthers, a team that has now firmly established itself as the standard in the East.

A 5-3 loss in Game 5 sealed the series, as the Panthers advanced to their third straight Stanley Cup Final. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes are left lamenting a familiar pattern: a disastrous start followed by a desperate, too-late rally.

“They’re the standard, obviously,” admitted Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour. “They’ve taken the kind of game we play — aggressive, hard forecheck hockey — and refined it. That’s where we have to get to.”

The series began with Florida outscoring Carolina 10-2 in Games 1 and 2, both played on Carolina’s home ice, where the Hurricanes had previously gone undefeated in the playoffs. Game 3 didn’t fare better — five third-period goals by the Panthers turned a close game into a 6-2 rout, putting Carolina in a 3-0 hole.

While the Hurricanes showed heart in a Game 4 shutout win and carried a 2-0 lead into the second period of Game 5, it all unraveled in minutes. Florida scored three times on consecutive shots, flipping momentum with ruthless efficiency.

“They just wait for that moment,” said center Sebastian Aho, who had two goals in Game 5. “And when they get it, they bury it. That’s what champions do.”

The dagger came in the third. After Seth Jarvis tied the game 3-3 with 11:30 to play, Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov delivered a moment of magic. Holding off Dmitry Orlov behind the net, he spun and fed Carter Verhaeghe for what became the series-clinching goal.

From there, Carolina could not recover. A failed power play late in the third and an empty-net goal by Sam Bennett extinguished any hope of a comeback.

“It was a backbreaker,” Brind’Amour admitted. “You could feel the air go out of the building.”

This postseason marks the seventh consecutive playoff appearance for the Hurricanes, and the third that ended at the conference final stage. Veteran Jordan Staal pointed to the slow series start as the fatal flaw: “You can’t start a series like that and expect to win. We were hesitant, off our game.”

Seth Jarvis echoed the regret: “Those first two games? You’d want those back. But it’s too little, too late.”

Despite back-to-back series wins against the Devils and top-seeded Capitals, Carolina now faces another long summer filled with reflection. The team has shown consistency in making playoff runs, but inconsistency in finishing them.

Florida, meanwhile, moves forward with poise, hunger, and experience — the kind that Carolina still seeks to master.

MMA

Sean O’Malley Net Worth Takes a Hit but Remains Strong After UFC 316 Loss

Despite falling short against Merab Dvalishvili, “Suga” Sean O’Malley remains one of UFC’s highest-earning stars with a net worth to prove it

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Sean O’Malley
Sean O’Malley may have lost the belt, but his “Suga Show” brand continues to shine financially in the UFC spotlight.

Sean O’Malley may have tapped out in the Octagon at UFC 316, but his bank account is still winning. Known for his signature look, flashy knockout power, and huge fan base, the American MMA star has built a financial empire that most UFC fighters can only dream of.

Sean O’Malley:American Professional Mixed Martial Artist

According to multiple financial outlets and athlete valuation reports, Sean O’Malley’s net worth is currently estimated between $4 million to $6 million USD. Despite his recent third-round submission loss to Merab Dvalishvili, the former UFC bantamweight champion continues to rake in revenue from multiple sources, both inside and outside the cage.

O’Malley, who previously held the 135-pound UFC title, has fought some of the sport’s biggest names and headlined several pay-per-view cards. His base salary per fight often exceeds $300,000, and when bonuses and PPV shares are included, that figure can easily cross $600,000 per event, especially for main events like UFC 292 (where he captured the title) and UFC 316.

What sets the Suga Show apart financially is his immense popularity among younger UFC fans. With over 3.5 million followers on Instagram and a successful YouTube channel, O’Malley has turned himself into a brand. He regularly earns income through social media sponsorships, apparel sales (like his “Suga” merchandise line), and collaborations with companies such as Venum, Monster Energy, and other MMA-related brands.

Sean O’Malley

Even in defeat, O’Malley remained graceful and charismatic. After UFC 316, he remarked, “I just feel super grateful I get to do this… I have a two-week-old and a four-year-old, a perfect wife. I’m excited to go home and spend time with them.” It’s that relatable attitude that keeps fans loyal — and loyal fans keep the cash flowing.

O’Malley’s earnings are also boosted by his smart business moves. He has hinted at launching CBD products, signed NFT deals in the past, and remains one of the most marketable athletes in the fight game. Many analysts believe his financial worth will only continue to grow, even if he doesn’t reclaim UFC gold immediately.

While his current focus may be on family and recovery, Sean O’Malley is far from finished — both as a fighter and a business-savvy entertainer. Whether it’s another title run or more brand expansion, the Suga Show remains a profitable enterprise in the world of MMA.

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Personality

Merab Dvalishvili Net Worth Skyrockets After UFC 316 Victory Over Sean O’Malley

From Georgian wrestler to UFC bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili’s rise has also brought impressive financial gains

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Merab Dvalishvili
UFC Champion Merab Dvalishvili celebrates a massive win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 316, a victory that adds millions to his rising net worth.

Merab Dvalishvili is no longer just the name of a UFC champion — he is now a bona fide star in the mixed martial arts world, with a rapidly growing fortune to match. Following his dominant performance at UFC 316 against Sean O’Malley, the Georgian fighter’s net worth is now a hot topic in combat sports circles.

Merab Dvalishvili:

According to several reports and estimations from sports finance platforms, Merab Dvalishvili’s current net worth is believed to be between $2 million to $3.5 million USD, a figure that continues to climb with each main event appearance and endorsement deal. His impressive UFC run — now boasting 13 consecutive wins — has positioned him not just as a dangerous athlete, but a valuable asset to the UFC brand.

The bantamweight champion first made waves in the Octagon through his grinding wrestling and cardio-heavy fighting style, earning the nickname The Machine. But it wasn’t until his title win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 and the recent rematch submission at UFC 316 that his earnings truly spiked. As per combat sports insiders, his purse for UFC 316, including fight bonus, base pay, and sponsorships, could be in the ballpark of $500,000 to $750,000, not including potential PPV points.

Merab Dvalishvili

The Georgian sensation, known for his humility and intense discipline, has consistently invested in his training and personal growth. He trains out of the esteemed Serra-Longo Fight Team in New York, a gym known for producing elite-level talent. His strong connection to both his homeland and the American MMA circuit has also opened doors to endorsement deals, including gear sponsors and fitness brands, which further pad his income.

Outside the cage, Merab’s appeal is growing. While not as flashy as some of his rivals, his underdog narrative, grounded personality, and inspirational post-fight speeches have made him a fan favorite. His social media following has seen a surge since becoming champion, offering more opportunities for monetization.

With a potential title defense against Cory Sandhagen looming, and his name climbing up the pound-for-pound rankings, financial analysts in the MMA world speculate that Dvalishvili’s net worth could easily cross $5 million by late 2025 — especially if he continues to headline PPV events and secure Fight of the Night or Performance bonuses.

The UFC bantamweight king may not be one to flaunt his riches, but his journey from a struggling Georgian immigrant to a millionaire UFC star is nothing short of inspirational. As he said after UFC 316, “It doesn’t matter what you have, as long as you know where you’re going.” Clearly, Dvalishvili knows — and that direction is upward, both in rankings and riches.

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UFC

Merab Dvalishvili Chokes Out Sean O’Malley in UFC 316 Masterclass to Cement His Legacy

The UFC bantamweight king silences all doubts with a dominant third-round submission over rival Sean O’Malley at the Prudential Center

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Merab Dvalishvili
Merab Dvalishvili celebrates his third-round submission victory over Sean O’Malley in the main event of UFC 316 at the Prudential Center.

The wait for a conclusive end to one of the UFC’s most anticipated rivalries came to a thunderous close Saturday night, as Merab Dvalishvili submitted Sean O’Malley in the third round at UFC 316. With this definitive win, Dvalishvili not only retained his bantamweight title but also reinforced his growing legend in the octagon.

Held inside the packed Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, the fight was billed as a high-stakes rematch. Their first clash at UFC 306 ended in a unanimous decision, but many felt O’Malley still had cards left to play. This time, however, the Georgian powerhouse made sure there was no ambiguity. The reigning bantamweight champion walked into the cage with a singular mission — and walked out having delivered a flawless, crushing performance.

The UFC champion overwhelmed his flashy opponent with relentless pressure, mixing calculated striking with explosive grappling. From the first bell, he took away O’Malley’s usual rhythm, smothering the former champ and cutting off his flashy striking game. Dvalishvili’s takedowns were textbook execution, and it was his fifth successful takedown that led to the fight-ending D’Arce choke at 4:42 in Round 3.

This victory marks the 13th straight win for the relentless 135-pounder, tying him for the fourth-longest streak in UFC history — a feat that places him among the greats. The bantamweight phenom has now successfully defended his belt twice, with his first defense coming against Umar Nurmagomedov earlier this year. He is now set to face top contender Cory Sandhagen, who recently dispatched Deiveson Figueiredo with clinical precision.

The former titleholder, often dubbed “The Suga Show,” was humble in defeat. Having recently recovered from hip surgery and stepping into the cage as a new father, O’Malley showed heart but was simply outmatched. The UFC statistics told the story bluntly — Dvalishvili outlanded O’Malley 135 to 34 in total strikes and controlled nearly every aspect of the fight.

After the match, the Georgian warrior delivered an emotional message to fans: “I just work every day and repeat. Training is number one for me. Please believe in your dreams and work for them. Everything is possible.”

Despite the loss, the flamboyant striker maintained his signature composure in the post-fight octagon interview, calling Dvalishvili “a motherf—er” with a mix of admiration and resignation. “I didn’t feel like it was going to go like that,” he admitted. “But I’m excited to go home to my kids and my perfect wife.”

With back-to-back wins over elite contenders and a complete shutout over one of the UFC’s biggest names, Dvalishvili is no longer just the bantamweight champion — he’s a serious pound-for-pound force. Currently ranked No. 4 globally, he continues to climb, one takedown and one dream at a time.

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