Sean O’Malley, feeling rejuvenated after a social media and marijuana detox, is confident and prepared for his rematch against Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title at UFC 316.
Sean O’Malley feels better than ever as he gears up for his rematch with Merab Dvalishvili. Next Saturday, O’Malley faces Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title he lost at UFC 306. He’s not holding back, training with big names like Israel Adesanya and Demetrious Johnson. But the biggest change? Cutting out distractions like social media and marijuana.
In a chat with Jim Rome, O’Malley shared how a full social media detox for 2025 has transformed him. “There are not a whole lot of things you can probably say are ‘life-changing,’” he said. “But getting off social media has completely changed my life in a positive way.” He’s still making content, thanks to his team, but he’s not glued to his phone anymore.
Interestingly, he didn’t make these changes just to beat Merab. “I did it for my own peace of mind,” O’Malley explained. Social media used to bring him anxiety, but stepping away has helped eliminate it.
It’s not just about social media, though. O’Malley also quit weed this year. Known for his open support of marijuana, even smoking with Snoop Dogg, this is a big shift. He’s not quitting forever, but the break has been beneficial.
“I don’t think I’ve even smoked this year,” he mentioned. The combination of social media and weed was causing anxiety he didn’t want. So, he decided to take a break from both. And he’s feeling great about it.
Whether these changes will impact his rematch with Dvalishvili remains to be seen. O’Malley also had a hip injury before their first fight, now surgically repaired, which might influence the outcome. Regardless, he’s convinced he’ll leave Newark as the bantamweight champion.
“I know I can beat Merab,” O’Malley confidently stated. He believes he can knock Dvalishvili out or go the full five rounds if needed. O’Malley’s ready to dig deep and reclaim his title.