Leading up to his significant fight at UFC 316 this Saturday, Sean O`Malley has been examining the strategies of arguably the sport`s biggest name, Conor McGregor.
At UFC 316, held this Saturday in Newark, New Jersey, Sean O`Malley is set to challenge Merab Dvalishvili for the bantamweight championship in the main event. This bout represents a crucial moment for O`Malley.
Ahead of their upcoming clash, Dvalishvili has made a surprising declaration: he intends to strike with O`Malley and seek a knockout, a notable departure from his usual grappling-focused style.
The only defeat Sean `Suga` O`Malley has suffered in his professional MMA career was against Chito Vera. O`Malley successfully avenged this loss in a later fight. He will be aiming for a similarly dominant performance when he faces Dvalishvili.
With his major title fight against the powerful Georgian fighter just days away, O`Malley recently shared a video on his YouTube channel showcasing his final sparring session.
O`Malley has indicated that his preparation for this fight is vastly different compared to his first encounter with Dvalishvili at UFC 306, where he fought with a torn labrum and couldn`t train optimally. For this upcoming bout, the 30-year-old stated he has been able to train properly to address Dvalishvili`s fighting approach.
As part of his preparation for the Newark event, O`Malley has specifically been analyzing the techniques of superstar fighter Conor McGregor.
In his recent YouTube video, O`Malley is seen re-watching McGregor`s well-known rematch bout against Nate Diaz. He appears to be looking for strategic takeaways from the former double champion`s performance.
O`Malley is frequently compared to McGregor, not only for his captivating style inside the cage but also for his sharp wit and charisma on the microphone.
Conor McGregor responded to O`Malley`s studies ahead of UFC 316, stating, “Very excited for this match!”
Upon seeing O`Malley`s video, which recreated a fight night atmosphere including a walkout and crowd noise, the former UFC double champion commented further: “Very reminiscent of my Diaz 2 prep. Intriguing! BIG FIGHT FEEL!”
Sean O’Malley`s Past Comments on Surpassing McGregor`s Fame
While O`Malley was ascending through the UFC ranks, `The Notorious` McGregor was already at the pinnacle of his career, establishing historical records in the sport.
Despite McGregor`s monumental fame, `Suga` O`Malley once expressed his belief that he would eventually become a bigger star than the Irishman. However, he recently modified this stance, admitting that reaching McGregor`s unparalleled level of global celebrity is likely improbable.
The two fighters engaged in a brief public exchange online last year, preceding O`Malley`s first fight against Dvalishvili at UFC 306. However, they appeared to resolve their minor disagreement relatively quickly afterward.
