Sean O'Malley's preparation for his second fight with Merab Dvalishvili is considerably different from the first.
O'Malley will challenge DvalishHvili on UFC 316, with headliner of the pay-per-view in the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on Saturday 7 June.
The competition offers an immediate opportunity for 'sugar' to take revenge in its return. O'Malley has not participated since he lost to Dvalishvili in their Bantamweight title fight on UFC 306 in September 2024.
Given the one-sided nature of that five-rounder, many count the former champion. But O'Malley is just as confident as always, partly to a number of major changes that he has made outside the cage.
Sean O'Malley's lifestyle changes can make the difference, says renowned coach
In anticipation of his chance of redemption against Dvalishhvili, the former champion has made a number of remarkable changes.
O'Malley has eliminated various “negative” life habits, including frequent activities on social media and smoking cannabis.
That, says the head coach Tyson Chartier in New England, could be the “X-Factor” on UFC 316.
“I think (the X factor is) O'Malley's mentality that comes here,” Chartier told E. Spencer Kyte for UFC.com. “He has weakened social media, and a big one for me is that he stopped smoking weed.
“I think it influences you – we don't know how much because no real studies have been done about it – but I have noticed the difference in how the current athletes are in the camp if they have a clear mind because they don't smoke.
“They are there, they work, and the clarity they have and the overall attitude is better,” Chartier continued. “It was clear that he thought something was going on if he had come off, and with social media that can be quite addictive and there is a lot of BS, so I am interested in seeing what kind of mentality he comes in based on the changes he has made.
“Does he come in with a more peaceful mind, more clarity in the camp, a more current athlete? With fewer distractions? Because that can mean that he is a more dangerous athlete.”
Merab Dvalishvili knows that Sean O'Malley will be more 'dangerous' on UFC 316
Whether it is about the lifestyle changes of the challenger or increased grip preparation, DvalishVili expects O'Malley to present a much greater obstacle than with UFC 306.
In a UFC interview with Anthony Smith, recognized 'The Machine' the extra challenge associated with predicting the approach of 'sugar' in their rematch.
“I fight the same man, but I know that this man will now be more dangerous. I was a game. I had a game plan. I knew it would work against him and he had a game plan and I stopped his game plan. Now I don't know which game plan he is going to have.”
Dvalishvili has admitted that it is struggling when it comes to motivation prior to this rematch, must be fully focused on the task that must be fought in Newark.
A victory would see that the Georgische surpassed the short reign of O'Malley, including only one successful defense, and could possibly put him on a collision course with Cory Sandhagen.