After spending months off the grid—detached from the internet and all outside distractions—former bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has finally re-emerged online, just two weeks ahead of UFC 316. During his digital detox, ‘Suga’ remained fully focused on refining his skills through rigorous training and intense sparring sessions. Now, with June 8 fast approaching, he’s set to step into the Octagon at the Prudential Center with one goal in mind: to not only dethrone reigning bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili but also to settle a personal score.

Committed to leaving no gaps in his preparation, Sean O’Malley has been working with some of MMA’s finest—among them legends like Demetrious Johnson and Israel Adesanya—to elevate both his grappling and striking game. And now, fans are getting a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse of his training journey. On his YouTube channel, the American recently released never-before-seen footage that captured a lighthearted moment with Izzy inside the MVP facility.

In one of the clips, Sean O’Malley is seen playfully exercising his face by blowing up a balloon. Israel Adesanya quips, “Looks like a water bottle. I like this because of your face,” prompting Sean to laugh and reply, “Since I ain’t smoking, I am, man.” He then adds, “Thanks for having us,” expressing gratitude for the visit. The Nigerian-Kiwi goes on to reflect on ‘Suga’ ’s rise through the UFC ranks, saying, “I like watching your rise, man. The thing is, we honestly—like I said—I didn’t even know you were 30. I thought you were younger. People don’t realize I’m 35 as well because I act like a kid sometimes.”

Sean O’Malley returns the compliment, noting, “See, I would have said you’re 33, 34. Yeah, I feel like you’ve done so much in the sport.” And it’s true—Israel Adesanya has accomplished an incredible amount in MMA. Yet, much like ‘Suga’ , he carries a youthful energy that often makes fans forget his age. His love for anime, particularly Avatar and Naruto, has not only shaped his personality but also influenced his fighting style.

It’s no surprise his nickname, “The Last Stylebender,” is a nod to the anime world—a reflection of how he seamlessly merges his passions with his career in the Octagon.

Israel Adesanya revealed which anime inspired him to become a world champion

“If you don’t like your destiny, don’t accept it. Instead, have the courage to change it the way you want it to be.” This powerful quote from Naruto perfectly captures the mindset that helped former UFC middleweight star Israel Adesanya transform his life. Born in Nigeria and later settling in New Zealand, Izzy faced numerous challenges—including bullying and racial slurs—but he refused to be held back.

He first made his mark in the kickboxing world, competing in 80 fights, and then leveraged that success to launch his UFC career. After his debut, he went on an impressive 13-fight winning streak (excluding the loss to Jan Blachowicz in the 205 lbs division). None of this incredible journey would have been possible without the inspiration he drew from anime. Ahead of his 2019 fight against Kelvin Gastelum, Israel Adesanya opened up about what motivated him, saying,

“Where do I start? Naruto is just a kid—you can’t even make this a long story, so I’ll keep it short—but he’s a kid who inspires me based on how he was brought up and his willpower. His willpower really inspired me, along with his morals for his friends, his family, and his code.”

Now nearing 36, Israel Adesanya finds himself on a three-fight losing streak. Do you believe he can bounce back and return to the winner’s circle? Meanwhile, Sean O’Malley is gearing up for his comeback next month at UFC 316. What are your thoughts? Share your opinion below.