Crowd Booing Influenced Approach ...

Aljamain Sterling altered his strategy in the 2nd round of his title defense against Sean OMalley after a smattering of boos in the 1st, according to UFC contender Merab Dvalishvili, who told us Aljo became more aggressive in his approach.

"Aljo always fights smart. Hes so good, he can do everything he wants. But, he always fights smart. He was fighting smart. Then in the second round, the people started booing again. So Aljo tried to make an exciting fight. Thats when he decided to strike more, punch more," Dvalishvili told TMZ Sports.

If you watched the fight, the crowd was firmly behind Suga ... so when Aljamain attempted to get OMalley to the ground, the Boston fans booed.

Merab says Aljo heard the response ... "He actually said that was the main reason why he made the adjustment to step in and go to striking."

Of course, just over 30 seconds into the second round, Aljamain lunged forward, throwing a straight left that fell just short of Seans chin. The momentum of the strike carried Sterling forward, leaving him out of position, and unable to defend himself from the incoming right.

The shot was perfectly placed, sending Aljo to the ground, and scrambling to stay alive.

About 20 seconds later, the fight was stopped by referee Marc Goddard.

Sterling, whod won 9 fights in a row, didnt really protest the stoppage in the Octagon (and couldnt have been more graceful in defeat), though Dvalishvili believes the fight was prematurely halted.

"The referee stopped Aljo a little early, cause Aljo was fighting, he wasnt out of anything. He was defending. First, he was trying to catch the leg. Then after he made the turn, he tried to do other move to get out of the situation, and the referee just jumped, thats what Marc Goddard does. Thats why I have Marc Goddard phobia."

As for whats next ... thats where things really get interesting/complicated, and Merab is very much in the mix.

OMalley is the champ now. Aljo is the top-ranked contender and made it clear he wants a rematch.

Merab is ranked 2nd. Henry Cejudo is 3, Cory Sandhagen 4, Petr Yan 5, and "Chito" Vera, who Suga called out after the fight, is ranked 6.

We asked Dvalishvili -- who will not fight Sterling -- what he believes should happen next.

"If Aljo wants to make a comeback now and fight OMalley for a rematch, that would be best. But, if Aljo wants to take a vacation or OMalley dont fight him, or the UFC doesnt make this matchup, I am the next guy," Merab said.

"I am the number one contender after Aljo, and OMalley should fight me. If he fights Chito Vera, thats a joke."

FYI, Dvalishvilis in the midst of a 9-fight win streak -- he last lost in April 2018 -- and has beaten the likes of Petr Yan and Jose Aldo. As for Marlon, he beat Pedro Munhoz by unanimous decision at UFC 292, and is the only fighter to defeat OMalley (UFC 252 in August 2020).

Bottom line ... the division has loads of talent, and things are getting interesting.