O’Malley Wants His Gold Back!
I feel like a lot of things have changed in my life that will contribute to my performance… -Sean O’Malley
On April 1, 2025, the UFC’s official X page announced that DanaWhitehadsome “huge” UFC news, which would be revealed via Instagram Live later that day.
Having been duped by several April Fool’s Day posts, many of us remained skeptical, but the UFC boss delivered, providing us with some key details for UFC 316, the promotion’s major event in June 2025.
Aside from a co-main event banger involving Kayla Harrison challenging the women’s bantamweight queen, Julianna Peña, Mr. White dropped UFC fight news on a main event rematch for bantamweight gold that has been speculated for some time: Merab Dvalishvili vsSean O’Malley 2!
While the announcement was met with mixed reactions, and since O’Malley’s social media silence since his defeat to Merab last year has raised many questions, there’s a lot to discuss regarding this rematch of top-tier 135-pound martial artists.
Taking TWO title fights to the Garden State 🏆🏆@MerabDvalishvil vs @SugaSeanMMA 2@VenezuelanVixen vs @KaylaH
[ #UFC316 | @Visit_NJ ] pic.twitter.com/rVZUgoK9C9— UFC (@ufc) April 1, 2025
Merab vs ‘Suga’ Sean 2 for Bantamweight Gold
UFC 300, inside the groundbreaking Las Vegas Sphere, didn’t turn out the way Sean O’Malley expected, and it was arguably the biggest eye-opener of his career. Across five rounds, he was out-cardioed, out-worked, and outclassed by a Georgian savage known as Merab Dvalishvili, resulting in the loss of his bantamweight championship and his second defeat in a ten-year, twenty-fight professional MMA career.
It was the moment that Suga realized that winning the title is the easy part, while defending it is a lot more challenging, as Merab’s 10-fight win streak quickly turned to 11, and a new king had arrived on the throne.
It’s been radio silence from O’Malley since. We’ve seen small glimpses of his out-of-cage activities on YouTube vlogs, but outside of this, the former champ has remained inactive in combat and quiet on social media.
Suga Sean couldn’t handle the wrestling onslaught of Dvalishvili the first time around, but with Dana’s rematch announcement for UFC 316, could the layoff and time to recoup have birthed a legitimate threat to Merab’s machine-like skill set? Or will we be presented with a déjà vu scenario in which the Georgian brute will send the bright-haired superstar back to contender bouts?
Merab Dvalishvili will defend his bantamweight title in a rematch against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316, Dana White announced. pic.twitter.com/EXmIzjKLUO
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 1, 2025
O’Malley Is a New Man!
Should you ask O’Malley, he’ll tell you he’s a different man.
No more “jerking his weed, or social media for O’Malley. That’s right, some of the vices O’Malley hasn’t been shy of discussing during his UFC tenure have been kicked to the curb, as he’s begun sharing with the masses what will make him a different fighter this time around.
“I feel like a lot of things have changed in my life that will contribute to my performance,” O’Malley discussed on the TimboSugarShow podcast. “For example, not being on social media. I decided in 2025 that I’m done with social media. I feel like it’s changed my life.”
“I haven’t j’d the peen (masturbated) once this year—not once in 2025. I haven’t checked the news, haven’t been on social media, and I haven’t played games, either. I quit gaming. We’ve been playing a lot of poker with the fellas. It’s been fun.”
“I quit smoking weed, too. I just stopped randomly. I didn’t like the way it made me feel. I’m not over-eating. I sleep better.”
🚨| Sean O’Malley has revealed some of the distractions he’s cut out since the beginning of the year.
❌ No social media
❌ No gaming
❌ No clubbing
❌ No marijuanaThe former bantamweight champ has instead been playing poker in his free time. 🤑
[via @SugaSeanMMA] pic.twitter.com/fzt48DcAeA— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) April 2, 2025
How do you feel about O’Malley’s life changes? I’m not sure about practicing blue balls, but you can clearly see how some of those kicked habits may help his performance.
Ultimately, however, it’s the skill set, combined with those aforementioned contributing factors, that will make the difference. So, the question is: Has he been constantly wrestling/grappling to avoid another Merab Molly whooping?
Fans Aren’t Happy
O’Malley seems like his old self, energetic and obviously happy to land the rematch on the UFC schedule without having to fight a contender and earn it.
As we’ve just witnessed Merab defeat O’Malley and defend the title against Umar Nurmagomedov, while Suga sits on the sidelines and receives an instant rematch on his return, we’re looking at a rare instance where a contender fight wasn’t required.
To no surprise, the fan backlash has been rife.
One fan wrote, “TheO’Malley rematch feels like the biggest waste of time.”
Another commented, “O’Malleygetting an immediate rematch after getting dominated following an uninspiring title reign as possible is some straight up April Fool’s sh*t.”
A third said, “Iactually thought this was an April Fool’s booking, wtf.”
I don’t understand how Sean O’Malley can get dominated like this then get an immediate rematch but Aljo couldn’t get one after FOUR defenses pic.twitter.com/orzyQZxkLp
— Jay🤼♂️ (@JayMMA4) April 2, 2025
This is just three of thousands of comments and UFC rumors where fans have expressed their hatred towards the UFC “gifting” Suga a bantamweight title rematch without earning it.
Despite this, I’ll play the devil’s advocate: Currently, there isn’t another 135-pound competitor with O’Malley’s star power and pay-per-view drawing power, so, considering the UFC’s decision-making, albeit of poor taste to some, it does make a lot of sense.
I would understand if people are upset about Sean O’Malley getting the title shot if someone was getting wronged. Present to me the person who’s being wronged by this title fight happening. Merab has said this is the fight he wants. pic.twitter.com/QjdvWGSlyx
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) April 2, 2025
When Is Dvalishvili vs O’Malley 2?
On July 7, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, whether you love it or hate it, you’re likely to tune in and watch UFC 316: Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2—don’t lie to me or yourself.
If you aren’t excited about the rematch, you might be more interested in the odds, as O’Malley is expected to enter as a heavy underdog compared to the first clash. Better yet, if you believe Suga has the ability to achieve this, you can get a +300 UFC futures bet on him to become the men’s bantamweight champion by the end of 2025—a great value!
Sean O’Malley talks going into the first Merab fight with a groin injury:
“I’m going to be 70% better than I was in that first fight. I’m going to be significantly more mobile, agile, better shape.
I’m gonna fight at my full potential.”
🎥 @SugaSeanMMApic.twitter.com/1Bu2TBVWtf
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 2, 2025
I’m a sucker for superstars, and I know this opinion doesn’t translate well for the haters, but an O’Malley pay-per-view always brings the hype. Then with Merab, who, in his own right, is a growing character and personality we’re always waiting to see at media days and in the octagon, I’m not angry at this announcement!
With Pena, Harrison, Marlon Vera, Johnny Walker, and many more also expected to compete at UFC 316, nobody will judge you for getting amped up. It’ll be much better to be happy and watching rather than sad and watching because we know everyone will be locked in!
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