Sean O’Malley, a former UFC bantamweight champion, is gearing up for a rematch against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316 on June 7, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey. In an interview on The Jim Rome Show, O’Malley detailed his 12-week training camp, focusing on grappling to counter Dvalishvili’s wrestling and expressing confidence in securing a knockout to win back the title lost in September 2024.
Born October 24, 1994, in Helena, Montana, Sean O’Malley entered the UFC in 2017, earning an 18-2 record with his precise striking. He claimed the bantamweight title in August 2023 by knocking out Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 and defended it against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 in March 2024.
O’Malley lost the belt to Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision at UFC 306 on September 14, 2024, hindered by a hip injury requiring surgery. Now recovered, he aims to reclaim the title in the UFC 316 main event.
Extensive Grappling Training
O’Malley described his preparation, stating:
“Every training camp you go through, you get a little bit better. This training camp has been a long training camp. It’s been a lot of grappling, that’s all we’ve been doing.”
The 12-week camp targeted his grappling weaknesses exposed in the first fight.
He added, “We’ve been in camp for a long time now, 12 or 13 weeks focused on Merab, focusing on getting better in that area.”
The prolonged training reflects his dedication to improving against Dvalishvili’s style.
O’Malley expressed strong belief in winning, saying:
“I’ve gotta break ‘The Machine.’ I’ve gotta beat him, win the positions. I know I can beat Merab.” He sees Dvalishvili as vulnerable, noting, “He’s open to getting knocked out. I’m very confident that I can put his lights out.”
He also prepared for a lengthy bout, stating:
“I’m also confident I can beat him in a five-round fight.” O’Malley’s strategy blends a knockout aim with readiness for a 25-minute battle.
🗣️ Sean O’Malley:
“It’s been a lot of grappling. That’s all we’ve been doing…
I gotta break the machine. I gotta beat him… I know I can beat Merab. He’s open to getting knocked out. I’m very confident that I can put his lights out.” 👀
🎥 @jimromepic.twitter.com/CrgR4JNqWv
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) May 29, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili, born January 10, 1991, in Tbilisi, Georgia, holds an 18-4 record and won the bantamweight title at UFC 306, extending his 11-fight win streak. His wrestling, averaging 5.5 takedowns per fight per UFC Stats, dominated O’Malley in their first encounter.
Training at Serra-Longo Fight Team, Dvalishvili told ESPN in May 2025, “I’m ready to show I’m the best again.” His lack of knockout losses challenges O’Malley’s striking plan.
The UFC 316 main event at Prudential Center is pivotal for O’Malley, who seeks to become a two-time champion. A victory would reestablish his dominance, while a loss could stall his title aspirations. Dvalishvili aims to solidify his reign, with contenders like Umar Nurmagomedov awaiting the result.
O’Malley’s camp, led by coach Tim Welch, included training with Demetrious Johnson, whose clinch skills Welch praised in a May 2025 Red Hawk Recap podcast, strengthening O’Malley’s defense.
O’Malley’s UFC 306 loss, his first in over four years, was impacted by his hip injury, limiting mobility, per a September 2024 MMA Fighting report. His recovery and extended camp have raised expectations, with ESPN’s Brett Okamoto noting O’Malley’s “renewed focus” in May 2025.
Announced by Dana White on April 15, 2025, the rematch headlines UFC 316, pitting O’Malley’s 61% significant strike accuracy against Dvalishvili’s wrestling prowess.
O’Malley’s grappling improvements and knockout confidence position him for a critical fight. A finish or decision win could see him reclaim the title, while Dvalishvili seeks to repeat his dominance. The June 7 clash will shape the bantamweight division’s future.
