Sean O’Malley’s big change for UFC 316 camp named as possible ‘X-factor’ against Merab Dvalishvili
Sean O’Malley’s preparation for his second fight with Merab Dvalishvili has been considerably different from the first.
O’Malley will challenge Dvalishvili at UFC 316, headlining the pay-per-view at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday, June 7.
The bout presents an immediate opportunity for ‘Sugar’ to exact revenge in his return. O’Malley hasn’t competed since losing to Dvalishvili in their bantamweight title fight at UFC 306 in September 2024.
Given the one-sided nature of that five-rounder, many are counting the former champion out. But O’Malley is as confident as ever, in part down to some major changes he’s made outside the cage.
Sean O’Malley’s lifestyle changes could make the difference, says renowned coach
Ahead of his chance for redemption against Dvalishvili, the former champion has made a number of notable changes.
O’Malley has eliminated several “negative” life habits, including frequent social media activity and smoking cannabis.
That, New England Cartel head coach Tyson Chartier says, could be the “X-factor” at UFC 316.
“I think (the X factor is) O’Malley’s mindset coming into this one,” Chartier told E. Spencer Kyte for UFC.com. “He toned down the social media, and a big one to me is that he stopped smoking weed.
“I think it does affect you — we don’t know how much because there haven’t been any actual studies done about it yet — but I’ve noticed the difference in terms of how present athletes are in camp when they have a clear mind because they’re not smoking.
“They’re there, they’re working, and the clarity they have and the overall attitude is better,” Chartier continued. “Obviously he thought something was going on if he got off it, and with social media, that can be pretty addictive and there is a lot of BS, so I’m interested to see what kind of mindset he comes in with based on the changes he made.
“Does he come in with a more peaceful mind, more clarity in camp, a more present athlete? With less distractions? Because that could mean he’s a more dangerous athlete.”
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Merab Dvalishvili knows Sean O’Malley will be more ‘dangerous’ at UFC 316
Whether due to the challenger’s lifestyle changes or increased grappling preparation, Dvalishvili is expecting O’Malley to present a much taller hurdle than he did at UFC 306.
Speaking to Anthony Smith in a UFC interview, ‘The Machine’ acknowledged the extra challenge that comes with predicting the approach of ‘Sugar’ in their rematch.
“I’m fighting the same guy, but I know this guy will be more dangerous now. First fight, I was game. I had a game plan. I knew it was gonna work against him, and he had a game plan, and I stopped his game plan. Now I don’t know what game plan he gonna have.”
Having admitted to struggling when it comes to motivation ahead of this rematch, Dvalishvili will need to be fully focused on the task at hand come fight night in Newark.
A victory would see the Georgian surpass the short reign of O’Malley, which included just one successful defense, and could potentially set him on a collision course with Cory Sandhagen next.
