UFC 316: Sean O'Malley Discusses Extensive Training Period
In the early hours of June 8, former UFC lightweight champion Sean O'Malley will aim to reclaim his title in a rematch against Merab Dvalishvili, following a judges' decision defeat in their previous encounter last September. In an interview with Jim Rome, O'Malley discussed his preparations for UFC 316, stating, "This camp has been lengthy. Our focus has primarily been on wrestling, which we have been working on extensively."
O'Malley further explained, "Eliminating takedowns is crucial. Mastering defensive wrestling has been a priority for me, as I've been training five to six days a week." He added, "My goal is to neutralize 'The Machine' (Dvalishvili) and emerge victorious in all positions. I am confident of my ability to win via knockout or through five rounds of a hard-fought battle."
Since his defeat to Dvalishvili, O'Malley has not competed in the octagon. Conversely, Dvalishvili started the year with a successful title defense against Umar Nurmagomedov.
As part of his training, O'Malley has made significant lifestyle adjustments, including quitting marijuana, undergoing surgery for a hip injury, and minimizing his social media usage to remain concentrated. Moreover, he has been focusing on developing his endurance and conditioning to withstand Dvalishvili's constant takedown attempts and grappling style for the entire five rounds if necessary.
In summary, O'Malley's strategy for the rematch involves being better equipped to handle Dvalishvili's grappling-heavy approach. Meanwhile, he will still leverage his striking and mobility advantages in his bid to win the fight.
Bookmakers might predict a challenging contest between Sean O'Malley and Merab Dvalishvili in the upcoming UFC 316, considering their previous mixed-martial-arts encounter. O'Malley's wide-ranging training regimen, focusing on wrestling defense and enhancing endurance, aims to counter Dvalishvili's grappling style in their rematch.
