Sean O`Malley says he`s a changed person with a clearer mind and better focus as he heads into his UFC 316 rematch against Merab Dvalishvili.
Since losing his bantamweight title to Dvalishvili by decision last September, O`Malley has been less visible publicly. Following the defeat, he had hip surgery and expected a chance to win back his title upon his return.
That opportunity is now set for the main event on June 7 in Newark, N.J. Although only seven months have passed since their first fight, O`Malley believes he will be a different fighter this time, not just physically healthier after surgery, but also mentally stronger after giving up several habits, starting with social media.
“I feel like many changes in my life will improve my performance,” O`Malley stated on his podcast. “For example, I`m no longer on social media. I decided to quit social media in 2025… I don`t use social media, and it feels life-changing. It`s only been three months, but it truly feels like it has changed my life, and I think it will impact my performance. All these small things – making decisions like this, sacrifices. I don`t see social media as a sacrifice, but giving up things, I believe it will help me perform better in the future.”
Giving Up Instant Gratification
O`Malley, 30, also mentioned limiting self-gratification and stopping hobbies he used to enjoy, such as video games and recreational marijuana.
“I haven`t masturbated at all this year – not once in 2025,” O`Malley revealed. “Haven`t masturbated, haven`t been on social media… I`ve also quit gaming. I used to game a lot, two or three hours daily, and I needed to replace it with something. We`ve been playing a lot of Texas Hold `Em poker with friends. It`s been very fun. It`s like gaming; you always say, `One more hand.`”
“I also quit smoking weed. I just stopped suddenly because I didn`t like how it made me feel. I`m also eating better, and my sleep has improved… I`m not saying I`ll never smoke again, but right now, I don`t feel the need, and I have no desire to. I think it`s been positive.”
Self-Belief is Key
Merab Dvalishvili fights Sean O’Malley for the bantamweight title at UFC 306 in Las Vegas, September 14, 2024. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
O`Malley is aware that some MMA fans disapprove of him getting an immediate rematch with Dvalishvili. He is seen by some as having received preferential treatment to get his first title shot against Aljamain Sterling and then only defended it once against Marlon Vera.
However, O`Malley enjoys proving doubters wrong and believes his self-confidence will be crucial in the rematch.
“It`s all about self-belief,” O`Malley said. “That`s what has brought me here. And self-belief will help me win this next fight because I know I`ll be a big underdog. Everyone will underestimate me, just like before the Aljo fight. I remember after that fight, Dana asked the media, about 30 or 40 people, `Who here thought Sean would win?` Only one person from my hometown in Montana raised their hand. It will be the same this time. No one will expect me to perform to my full potential.”
“Last time, I fought the best bantamweight at the time, and we succeeded (against Aljamain Sterling). I`m very confident in my skills. Last camp, we had some issues. I don`t want to make excuses. We had a good camp, I was in shape, we did our best with what we had. But this camp is already different, and I feel great. I`m very excited to go out there and get the win.”
O`Malley vs. Dvalishvili: Then and Now
O`Malley says his body hasn`t felt this good since his controversial victory over Petr Yan in October 2022. He admitted that around the time of the last fight with Dvalishvili, he injured his groin and hip, which disrupted his entire training camp. However, he feels he has built a stronger base this time to prevent a similar situation.
Having connected with his “higher self” instead of his “ego,” O`Malley is leaving nothing to chance for UFC 316. If he maintains this discipline until fight night, he is confident in his chances of becoming a two-time UFC champion.
“If I can maintain this training pace from the last few weeks until the fight, I`ll be 70 percent better than in the first fight,” O`Malley stated. “I`ll be significantly more mobile, agile, and in better shape. I`ll fight at my full potential. In the last fight, I was happy with my performance considering how I felt. The outcome wasn`t ideal; I didn`t win, but I also think I wasn`t meant to win. This rematch was supposed to happen.”
“This will make the win even more significant. If I had beaten Merab the first time, he would still be considered a top fighter. But he beat me, and he beat Umar (Nurmagomedov)… I will always be grateful to Merab in a way because he beat me; he made me a better fighter, a better person, a better human. Losing is strange. Where there`s struggle, there`s an opportunity for growth.”
