Dvalishvili vs O’Malley 2 – In an exclusive interview with Setanta Sports, journalist Giorgi Kokiashvili sat down with UFC Bantamweight title challenger Sean O’Malley ahead of his highly anticipated rematch with UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316.
O’Malley opened up about his physical and mental preparation, past challenges, and what’s at stake this time around.
“I feel excellent,” O’Malley began. “My hip injury from the first fight is fully healed, and this time my preparation has been perfect. I’ve done everything I need to beat a guy like Merab.”
Dvalishvili vs O’Malley 2 – Watch Live
Get ready for UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs O’Malley 2, live from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, on June 7, 2025.
The action begins with the prelims at 8 PM ET / 2 AM CET (June 8), followed by the main card from 10 PM ET / 4 AM CET (June 8).
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Sean O’Malley – Interview
Former UFC Champion reflected on how the lessons from his prior rematch against Chito Vera shaped his approach now. “That first fight with Chito—I lost, but I always knew I could beat him. It took me three and a half years to prove it. With Merab, I only had to wait nine months.”
On the strategic side, O’Malley said the difference is not just in mindset but also in execution: “The first time, I didn’t have the right camp. I still had the right mindset—I believed I could win—but the body wasn’t ready. Now, both the body and the mind are aligned.”
He also discussed adding wrestling to his routine. “There was a day in this camp where I wrestled more than I did the entire first camp. That’s how much more prepared I am.”
While stars like Israel Adesanya and Demetrious Johnson made guest appearances in his camp, O’Malley emphasized he’s built his own training bubble. “Every fighter should have their own home setup. I’ve got a treadmill, sauna, cold plunge, mats—it’s all here. It lets me control the atmosphere, no distractions.”
On whether public gyms cause disruptions, O’Malley was candid: “Sure, people sometimes ask for photos, but I’m in the same place every day. The novelty wears off.”
Analyzing Dvalishvili’s fight against Umar Nurmagomedov, O’Malley was impressed: “That was his best performance—but he’s still got a lot of holes. That’s the wild part. He keeps winning, even though there are openings to beat him.”
“He’s not super technical. He’s just relentless. That’s his greatest strength.”
O’Malley doesn’t expect Dvalishvili to abandon his wrestling game plan, even though Merab hinted at striking more. “He probably landed four or five punches on the feet last time. He’ll say he’s going to strike, but he’s coming in to grapple, for sure.”
Asked if the rivalry felt personal, O’Malley clarified: “Not for me. Maybe it felt that way for fans. But for me, this is athlete vs athlete. It’s a job. It’s just a very high-level job.”
He also commented on the state of the bantamweight division, calling it “one of the most competitive in the UFC right now,” and shared his thoughts on the recent arrival of Patchy Mix: “The dude is skilled. I didn’t follow Bellator closely, but when I saw his highlights—yeah, he belongs here.”
Regarding future plans, O’Malley is keeping his options open. “Featherweight? Not yet. I want to defend my belt a couple more times in bantamweight. Then we’ll talk.”
Staying off social media, he says, has helped. “I haven’t opened Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook all year. No distractions. It helps with focus—and with peace of mind.”
“Hate me or love me, you’ll be watching June 7. You’ll heat up your corn dog, stream the fight – but I’ll still win. It’s gonna be incredible.”
Watch the full UFC 316 event, including the main event between Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili, exclusively on setantasports.com.
