Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O`Malley is intensifying his preparations for the highly anticipated UFC 316 main event.
O’Malley is set to seek redemption in a rematch against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316, scheduled for June 7th in Newark. This fight marks O’Malley`s return to the Octagon since his defeat to Dvalishvili at UFC 306 last September, which ended his bantamweight title reign.
Immediately after UFC 306, O’Malley expressed his desire for a rematch, disputing the judges` decision that resulted in a unanimous victory for Dvalishvili. Since then, he has taken a break from competition to recover from a hip injury and has made substantial changes to his daily habits in preparation for his comeback at UFC 316.
These modifications in O’Malley`s routine extend beyond just his mixed martial arts training.
Sean O’Malley Abstaining from Marijuana, Masturbation, and Gaming Before UFC 316 Title Bout
In a recent episode of his podcast, TimboSugarShow, O’Malley revealed his reasons for stepping away from the public eye after his loss to Dvalishvili.
“I believe several changes in my lifestyle will positively impact my performance,” O’Malley stated. “For instance, I`ve decided to quit social media in 2025. I no longer use social media, and it has been life-altering. Even in just three months, I feel a significant change, which I believe will enhance my performance. These small choices and sacrifices, like giving up social media, will contribute to my future fights.”
O’Malley further elaborated on the sacrifices he is making leading up to the Dvalishvili rematch.
“I haven`t masturbated at all this year—not once in 2025,” O’Malley admitted. “No masturbation, no social media, and I’ve also stopped gaming. I used to game for two to three hours daily, and I needed to replace that time. Recently, I`ve been playing a lot of Texas Hold ‘Em poker with friends. It’s quite engaging, much like gaming, where you always want to play ‘one more hand.’”
“I’ve also quit smoking weed. It was a spontaneous decision. I didn`t like how it was making me feel. I`m also eating healthier, and my sleep has improved. I`m not saying I`ll never smoke again, but for now, I don’t feel the need or desire. I feel it’s been beneficial.”
Prior to his defeat by Dvalishvili, O’Malley had a strong UFC record, including victories over Aljamain Sterling and Marlon Vera. Despite remaining a prominent pay-per-view attraction in the UFC, he faces a tough challenge in his upcoming rematch with Dvalishvili.
Following the announcement of Dvalishvili vs. O’Malley 2 as the main event for UFC 316, fan reactions were mixed. Some fans question the immediate rematch, considering O’Malley only defended his title once, a feat Dvalishvili matched by defeating Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.
Sterling was not granted an immediate rematch after his knockout loss to O’Malley at UFC 292. After losing the title, Sterling transitioned to featherweight, winning against Calvin Kattar but losing to Movsar Evloev at UFC 310.
O’Malley has an opportunity to correct his previous performance against Dvalishvili and demonstrate the improvements he has made during his time away. It remains to be seen if O’Malley`s insistence on an immediate rematch will yield positive results or prove to be a misstep.
