Sean O’Malley feels better than ever before in his rematch with Merab Dvalishvili.
Next Saturday, O’Malley will challenge Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title, which he lost to the “machine” in UFC 306. Prior to the match, O’Malley pulls out all the stops and trains like Israel’s Adesanya and demestious Johnson to prepare for the biggest change in which he has lost his life. That is, social media and marijuana.
Speaking with Jim Roma on Wednesday, O’Malley revealed how good he felt after a full social media detox in 2025.
“There’s probably not a lot of things I can say ‘life-changing’, but it’s coming down from social media. It’s still running. I’m still making content. I’m still doing that, but I don’t actually make a phone call, go to Instagram, join Snapchat, join Twitter, engage in virtual reality. “I don’t want to go back.
“I couldn’t beat Merab because I didn’t do this. I can get off social media and stop this, stop it, beat Merab. I did for my peace of mind. I really didn’t have any anxiety. Everyone has a low level of anxiety.
However, it’s not just social media. O’Malley also put up a pot this year. It’s a huge change for some fighters who have become well known for their open support of weeds and for smoking with Snoop Dogg early in his UFC career. And O’Malley says he’s not off the electric lettuce forever, like he’s on social media, but he thinks this detox is a good thing for him.
“I don’t think I smoked again this year. I might have one,” O’Malley said. “It was another thing. I’ve never smoked weeds forever. I definitely enjoy it, but it gave me this anxiety I really don’t want. It’s a mix between social media and I don’t know if I’m smoking or not. And it really feels good too.”
Only time will tell if these changes will make a difference in the rematch with Dvalishvili. There is also the issue of O’Malley taking part in his first battle with a surgically repaired hip injury. But whatever that is, O’Malley is sure he will leave Newark as the bantamweight champion.
“I know I can beat Merab,” O’Malley said. “He’s open to being knocked out. I’m sure I can put out his lights, and I’m sure I can beat him in a five-round battle. There’s no doubt that he’ll be able to put out his lights, but I’m ready to go for 25 minutes. I’ll have to dig deep.”