Sean O’Malley Remains Confident Despite Setbacks Against Dvalishvili

Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley continues to express confidence in his ability to defeat current champion Merab Dvalishvili, despite suffering two consecutive losses to him. O’Malley was submitted by Dvalishvili at UFC 316 in June, marking a significant setback after his first loss to the Georgian fighter at the Sphere in September 2024. The recent defeat has led many analysts to doubt O’Malley’s chances in a potential trilogy bout.

O’Malley had made considerable preparations for the latest fight, including recovering from a torn labrum and eliminating distractions from his life. Despite these efforts, he was unable to challenge Dvalishvili effectively during their matchup.

In a recent video shared on his X account, O’Malley referred to Dvalishvili’s upcoming title defense as a “coin flip,” indicating his ongoing interest in the bantamweight division. Although he currently finds himself outside of the title picture, O’Malley is keenly observing the co-main event at UFC 320 scheduled for October, where he hopes for an unexpected victory from Cory Sandhagen to potentially pave his way back to championship contention.

O’Malley draws parallels to the career of Max Holloway, recalling how Holloway defeated Dustin Poirier in their third encounter after losing their first two bouts. He stated, “I truly believed that I was going to go out and make Merab look stupid. I’m still so delusional that I still think I can beat Merab. So never say never.”

After his fight with Dvalishvili, O’Malley has reversed some lifestyle changes he implemented prior to the match. He had previously reduced his social media activity and eliminated marijuana use to focus on his training. In a video on his Instagram Stories, O’Malley announced he is returning to his previous habits, stating, “I feel rejuvenated. I feel like I am excited to create content again. So we are gonna be posting a lot of content. I’ve got a new business coming out.”

This renewed energy reflects O’Malley’s determination to regain his standing in the UFC and his belief in his potential to reclaim the bantamweight title. As he prepares for future opportunities, the MMA community will be watching closely to see how his journey unfolds.