“I haven’t j’d the peen once this year,” Sean O’Malley admitted. “I haven’t gamed, either. I quit gaming,” the former bantamweight champion revealed last month, making it crystal clear that he’s cut out every possible distraction. Now, he’s fully locked in on one mission — chasing greatness. With the UFC 316 rematch against Merab Dvalishvili just weeks away, ‘Suga’ is determined to reclaim the bantamweight title from the man who took it from him.

At UFC 306 inside The Sphere last year, Merab Dvalishvili shocked the MMA world by defeating Sean O’Malley via unanimous decision — a victory that ended the reign of a once-dominant champion and reshaped the division’s storyline. But this time, everything is different. With the weight of redemption on his shoulders, ‘Suga’ — once touted as the next face of the UFC — is determined to prove the doubters wrong. His momentum took a hit over the past year due to a drop in popularity and a delayed return following labrum surgery.

However, with his mindset sharpened and distractions eliminated, Sean O’Malley is leaving nothing to chance as he prepares for his shot at redemption. His renewed focus hasn’t gone unnoticed. On a recent episode of the Joe Rogan Experience podcast (#2325), UFC commentator Joe Rogan discussed ‘Suga’s transformation with NFL icon Aaron Rodgers. Rogan said,

“Merab rematch with Suga Sean,” Rogan continued, “that’s an interesting fight. A very interesting fight. I don’t know how Suga Sean keeps that guy off him. But I like what he’s been doing — he got off social media, stopped smoking weed, and just dialed the fuck in. He also got his hip fixed, which was a big problem. There are a lot of fighters who take fights because it’s a lot of money and a big event, and they don’t want to cancel.”

Sean O’Malley’s renewed discipline makes sense, especially given the challenge posed by Merab Dvalishvili. Known for his relentless pace and methodical approach, ‘The Machine’ has become one of Georgia’s fiercest contenders alongside Ilia Topuria. Currently riding a 12-fight winning streak, the Georgian recently snapped Dagestani standout Umar Nurmagomedov’s 18-fight unbeaten run, showcasing his exceptional cardio and pressure. It remains to be seen whether the American’s sharpened focus and avoidance of distractions will be enough to overcome Merab’s relentless assault.

Sean O’Malley’s coach explains why he quit social media

Sean O’Malley was once one of the most active athletes on social media. But last year, everything changed dramatically—whether it was depression or a personal crisis, it pushed S’Suga’ to grow and mature. Amidst that turmoil, his recent loss to Merab Dvalishvili gave him a new perspective. His support system, especially his coach and co-podcaster Tim Welch, played a crucial role in helping him through this period.

Last year, Sean O’Malley officially announced he wouldn’t step back into the Octagon until his rematch with Merab Dvalishvili. This fight is his opportunity to avenge that defeat and reclaim the bantamweight title. In mid-December, just before Christmas, ex- champ publicly confirmed his inactivity on most social media platforms—except Snapchat—across his channels. On a podcast, Tim Welch confirmed Sean’s social media absence, explaining that the former champion is now dedicating all his energy and focus to his comeback fight. Speaking on the matter, Welch said,

“He’s worked so hard for years on these socials and you’d be surprised by the amount of money he makes on them, it’s crazy, but it’s like right now, to win in this top 5, you’ve got to be focused on your training. Being creative on Instagram, being creative on Snapchat, being creative on YouTube, and then worried about all your deliverables [and] when they’ll be posted – your mind’s thinking about all this stuff, and it takes more energy than you think.”

What do you think of Sean O’Malley’s decision to step back and focus? Can this renewed focus help him reclaim his spot at the top, or will Merab Dvalishvili continue his dominance? Share your thoughts below.