**O'Malley Focuses on Mental Clarity Ahead of UFC 316 Rematch with Dvalishvili**

Sean O'Malley is heading into his highly anticipated rematch with Merab Dvalishvili feeling more prepared than ever. The showdown, set for next Saturday at UFC 316, will see O'Malley seeking redemption after losing the bantamweight title to Dvalishvili at UFC 306. Determined to turn the tide, O'Malley has made significant lifestyle adjustments that he believes have been pivotal to his enhanced readiness.

In his bid to reclaim the championship, O'Malley has invested heavily in his training regimen, collaborating with renowned fighters such as Israel Adesanya and Demetrious Johnson. However, the most profound change has been his decision to eliminate distractions from his life, particularly social media and marijuana. Speaking with Jim Rome on Wednesday, O'Malley shared the noticeable improvements he's experienced after undertaking a comprehensive social media detox throughout 2025.

“There are not a whole lot of things you can probably say are 'life-changing' but I would say me getting off of my social media-they're still running, we're still making content, I still have a team doing that stuff-but for me to actually not get on my phone, get on Instagram, get on Snapchat, get on Twitter, engage with the virtual reality every single day, hours a day, has completely changed my life in a positive way,” O’Malley elaborated. He emphasized that this decision, though beneficial for his mental well-being, was not solely made to defeat Dvalishvili. Instead, it was primarily for his own peace of mind. “I feel like it was definitely worth doing."

In addition to stepping away from his digital life, O'Malley has also taken a break from marijuana, a substance he openly enjoyed and even smoked with Snoop Dogg early in his UFC career. While he doesn't plan on quitting weed permanently, this year-long hiatus has helped him alleviate unwanted anxiety. "I don't think I've even smoked this year. I might have,” O’Malley mentioned, noting the mental clarity this break has provided him.

While these lifestyle changes are significant, they are not the only factors that might influence the rematch. O'Malley had entered their first encounter with a hip injury that has since been surgically repaired, potentially leveling the playing field. Despite these adjustments, O'Malley remains confident in his ability to defeat Dvalishvili and reclaim the bantamweight title.

“I know I can beat Merab,” O'Malley asserted. “He's open to getting knocked out. I'm very confident that I can put his lights out. I'm also confident I can beat him in a five-round fight. There's definitely a possibility of me putting his lights out, but I'm ready to go for 25 minutes. I'm ready to have to dig deep."

As the date for UFC 316 approaches, fans and analysts alike are eager to see if O'Malley's refined preparation and renewed mindset will lead him to victory. Only time will tell if these significant life changes will culminate in a successful rematch against "The Machine" Merab Dvalishvili.