"100% I'll fight again this year" - Sean O'Malley shares comeback plans after losing against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316
Sean O'Malley was unable to get back in the win column as he suffered a third-round submission loss to Merab Dvalishvili in a rematch at UFC 316. 'Suga' recently revealed his plans following his second consecutive loss.
O'Malley appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show, where he shared that he plans to return in 2025, stating:
"100% I'll fight again this year. The question is when... To be determined. We'll see how things play out. We'll see... We'll see. I'm going to see how this week goes. I gave myself a solid week. Ten days to just kind of relax and I'm going to see how I feel this week. I don't have an answer for you right now, but I'm gonna see how I feel this week."
After Helwani suggested that O'Malley could return at International Fight Week, the former UFC bantamweight champion responded:
"You never know... Yeah, I think for the most part I'm pretty healthy. Again, I don't think any fighter is like, alright I'm 100%. You're always dealing with some bulls**t, dealing with a little something something, but for the most part I'm pretty good."
Check out Sean O'Malley's comments below:
While O'Malley is on a two-fight losing streak, his star power, combined with his spot atop the rankings, will likely mean he needs just one more win to challenge for the belt again. It is unclear who he will face. However, he did reveal that he has an opponent in mind.
Sean O'Malley weighs in on loss to Merab Dvalishvili
Sean O'Malley suffered the third loss of his mixed martial arts career at UFC 316. The No.1-ranked bantamweight discussed the bout during his recent appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show and commended Merab Dvalishvili, stating that 'The Machine' has a "good style" to beat him.
"It was a lot easier to deal with the second time around. The first time having a surgery right after the fight - coming off a loss and surgery back-to-back, that's difficult. Coming off the loss, still healthy, feel good, family's healthy, everything is good, it's a lot easier to deal with. Merab's good. He's No. 2 on the pound-for-pound list right now. He's got a good style to beat me and yeah, it is what it is."
Check out Sean O'Malley's comments below:
O'Malley revealed that he had a great camp and felt confident heading into the bout. He noted that having a healthy family has made it easier to accept the loss.