Sean O’Malley makes major revelation from Dana White’s $20 million UFC sphere project 

Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O'Malley talks about suffering from a painful injury before fighting Merab Dvalishvili at UFC Noche.

Sean O’Malley makes major revelation from Dana White’s $20 million UFC sphere project 

Sean O'Malley had a groin injury before UFC 306 (via MMA Fighting)

Sean O’Malley went against Merab Dvalishvili last year at Dana White‘s $20 million project inside the Las Vegas Sphere. It was O’Malley’s second bantamweight title defense where he lost the bout via unanimous decision. ‘Suga’ was helpless against the challenger’s wrestling made him look completely flat. However, according to the former champion, there was a huge reason behind his bad performance.

O’Malley, known for his striking skills, wasn’t able to stop any takedown attempts and struggled to get up throughout the fight. In the process, he failed to get a clear shot and ultimately lost the bout due to lack of offense. Moreover, his intent seemed lacking, but a recent revelation suggests an injury prevented him from performing at his absolute best.

My groin kept me up at night. Because I tore my labrum ten weeks before the fight, which is what we’re at from the fight right now. I was having serious groin pain. It wasn’t ideal. I was able to train, I was able to tough through it, but obviously it’s not ideal to go into a fight.

Sean O’Malley via The TimboSugar Show 

Following the bout, there were discussions about an immediate rematch, and Dvalishvili was also interested in that. However, instead of that, the Georgian had to defend his title first against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311. Dvalishvili won that fight, and now, Dana White has announced that he will fight O’Malley next at UFC 316. 

O’Malley mentioned that his training in recent months has remained outstanding, and he wanted to maintain that momentum till the rematch. Suga believed he will be approximately 70% better than in his previous bout, which could have a major impact. However, fans are still skeptical and don’t know why the UFC is making this rematch.

Former UFC champion reveals why Sean O’Malley got his title rematch 

Sean O’Malley’s rise to the top was fueled by his flashy striking, knockout power, and vibrant personality. Discovered on Dana White’s Contender Series, he gained fame through social media, colorful appearances, and UFC’s promotional push. His star power grew with highlight-reel finishes and fan engagement. UFC capitalized on his marketability, positioning Suga as a future star. 

Sean O'Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili rematch at UFC 316
Sean O’Malley vs. Merab Dvalishvili rematch at UFC 316 (via MMA Fighting)

Going into UFC Sphere, the promotion had huge expectations, but the reality turned out to be different. However, after the recent announcement, some fans were not happy with the rematch and questioned the UFC for the decision. Amidst the confusion, former champion Aljamain Sterling made a tweet and explained the situation in detail. 

Honest answer, the UFC’s gonna do what’s best for the business and the brand. Would I have liked an immediate rematch due to the circumstances going into the first fight? Absolutely. But I understand the business model better than most, and O’Malley is a really exciting guy that has beaten many top five contenders. So I think he rightfully deserves it after all the ranked names he has beaten.

Aljamain Sterling via X 

With veterans aging and stars like Conor McGregor fighting less, the UFC constantly seeks new superstars to drive pay-per-view sales. Charisma, exciting fight styles, and social media presence help build the next wave of UFC icons to keep the sport thriving. As a result, marketable fighters like Sean O’Malley, Alex Pereira, and Khamzat Chimaev are crucial for the promotion’s future. 

Can Sean O’Malley reclaim his lost glory?

Sean O’Malley has taken some serious steps in order to get ready for the title rematch at UFC 316. He has kept himself away from social media and shifted all his focus on training. Going into the fight, Suga looks confident and ready for retribution. His striking and precision could be his key to reclaiming the title against Merab Dvalishvili, but wrestling remains a challenge.

Sean O'Malley is ready to take his belt back
Sean O’Malley is ready to take his belt back (via X)

Dvalishvili’s relentless pace and takedowns may neutralize O’Malley’s striking, forcing him to prove his ground game has significantly improved. If O’Malley can maintain distance and land clean counters, he has a real chance to reclaim his belt in spectacular fashion. However, Dvalishvili’s pressure and cardio might overwhelm O’Malley, making this a true test of championship resilience and adaptability.

Related: Merab Dvalishvili fighting style: Is Georgian UFC star combat sambo champion like Khabib Nurmagomedov?