**Israel Adesanya Predicts Knockout Victory for Sean O'Malley Against Merab Dvalishvili**

In the lead-up to UFC 316, Israel Adesanya has thrown his support behind Sean O'Malley, predicting a knockout victory over Merab Dvalishvili. O'Malley, who boasts a renewed confidence, credits his successful fight camp to an injury-free, focused training period free from negative habits like social media distractions and smoking. His full recovery from hip surgery has also allowed him to fully engage in grappling practice.

One notable figure who has witnessed O'Malley's transformation firsthand is former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya. Adesanya spent some time training with O'Malley and was impressed by the former bantamweight champion's dedication and discipline. "Me and Sean, we're cool. He reminds me of myself," Adesanya remarked. "From what he's doing, he's not even smoking... I see the way he's taking this really seriously. He's done the work. He's lived the stoic, the boring life for this fight...and it's showing when you hang out with him."

Adesanya's confidence in O'Malley is clear. "It's a hard fight, but I'm gonna go Sean O'Malley. Because I believe, I believe, I believe, man," he continued. "Just seeing the work he's done this camp, not just in the gym, the stuff outside the gym.... Sean is dialed in and Sean can catch him. It's gonna be the return to 'The Suga Show'. Knockout, round two."

Tim Welch, O'Malley's coach, has shared a similarly optimistic but more graphic prediction concerning the upcoming bout. In a video on his YouTube channel, Welch detailed his expectation that O'Malley will inflict significant damage on Dvalishvili. "It's gonna be a war," Welch said, outlining the plan. "We're planning for a 25-minute battle, but I see Sean cutting his face. Merab shooting at the wrong time. Merab maybe getting wobbled by a shot, taking a shot at the wrong time, getting knee'd up the middle to the lips, maybe to the beak... (O'Malley) knees his beak, hurts Merab. Boom, boom, boom... boom. And he starts just to ground and pound. TKO, Sugar Show gets it done. He's a champion again."

Such a detailed prediction brings back memories of O'Malley's last triumph over Marlon Vera at UFC 299 in Miami, where he secured a lopsided five-round decision victory with a brutal knee. This win marked his only successful title defense to date. As O'Malley heads into Saturday's fight, his focus remains on maintaining an undefeated record in rematches and securing a more prolonged reign on the bantamweight throne this time around.