Sean O’Malley stated he feels significantly better as he prepares for his upcoming rematch against Merab Dvalishvili.
Scheduled for next Saturday, O’Malley will challenge Dvalishvili for the bantamweight championship, a belt he lost to “The Machine” at UFC 306. In his intense preparation for this redemption bout, O`Malley has trained with notable fighters such as Israel Adesanya and Demetrious Johnson. However, he identifies the most impactful changes leading up to UFC 316 as removing distractions from his life, specifically social media and marijuana.
During a recent conversation with Jim Rome, O’Malley elaborated on the positive effects of his complete social media detox initiated in 2025.
O’Malley described the experience as genuinely transformative. He explained that while his team still handles his social media presence and creates content, his personal decision to disengage from his phone and avoid daily, hours-long interaction with platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter has fundamentally improved his life. He added that he has no desire to return to his previous level of social media usage.
He clarified his motivations, stating these changes were not solely aimed at defeating Merab Dvalishvili. Instead, he undertook them for his personal well-being and peace of mind. O`Malley mentioned he never experienced severe anxiety, but a low-level form was always present. He found that stepping away from social media and constant phone checking has virtually eliminated this feeling, making the effort entirely worthwhile.
Beyond social media, O’Malley also decided to abstain from marijuana this year. This represents a notable shift for a fighter partly known for his public support of cannabis, having even smoked with Snoop Dogg early in his UFC career. While O’Malley indicated this break from marijuana is not intended to be permanent like his social media hiatus, he believes this period of abstinence has been beneficial.
Reflecting on his marijuana use, O’Malley said, “I don`t think I`ve even smoked this year. I might have.” He explained that it was another factor contributing to anxiety he wished to avoid. He speculated that perhaps the combination of social media and smoking was the issue, prompting an inner voice to suggest a break. Taking a pause from it, alongside other changes, also feels genuinely positive, he noted.
Only time will reveal whether these personal adjustments will be decisive in the rematch against Dvalishvili. Another potential factor is the hip injury O’Malley sustained before their first fight, which has since been surgically repaired and could play a role in the upcoming bout. Regardless of what influences the outcome, O’Malley expressed strong conviction that he will leave Newark as the bantamweight champion.
O`Malley conveyed confidence in his ability to defeat Merab, stating, “I know I can beat Merab.” He added, “He’s susceptible to being knocked out. I’m very confident I can finish him.” O`Malley is also confident in his ability to secure a victory across a five-round fight. While he sees a knockout as a definite possibility, he affirmed his readiness to compete for the full 25 minutes and to persevere if the fight goes deep.
