Sean O’Malley will compete for the first time since losing the bantamweight title when he makes the walk at UFC 316.
After being unseated from the 135-pound throne at the Sphere in September 2024, O’Malley’s chance for revenge against Merab Dvalishvili comes on Saturday, June 7.
The pair will headline the UFC 316 pay-per-view at Newark’s Prudential Center, where another belt will also be on the line when bantamweight queen Julianna Pena defends her title against Kayla Harrison.
In the build-up, O’Malley has made big claims regarding his improved preparation this time around compared to his first camp for Dvalishvili.
One of the challenger’s fellow UFC bantamweight contenders, though, has heard differently.
Henry Cejudo reveals whispers of Sean O’Malley’s questionable training for UFC 316
During a recent episode of the Pound 4 Pound podcast, hosts Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo previewed the upcoming UFC 316 card.
After the former UFC welterweight champion picked Dvalishvili to emerge victorious from the main event, the ex-flyweight and bantamweight titleholder followed suit — but not just because of the Georgian’s talents.
Cejudo lost to Dvalishvili at UFC 298, so he knows the champ’s strengths well. But beyond just that, ‘Triple C’ revealed he’s also heard some concerning things regarding O’Malley’s training camp.
“The biggest thing with O’Malley is, did he formulate his camp correctly?” Cejudo said. “There’s a lot of birdies out there. I’m gonna say it, here on Pound 4 Pound.
“He’s just working jiu-jitsu. He’s not working his get-ups, his stand-ups. He’s not investing in his camp. He’s not bringing in guys for money…it’s true, it’s one hundred percent true.
“[Money] shouldn’t be [an issue]. But to him, he just wants to keep everything — I don’t know, maybe he’s cheap. He just wants to keep everything in house,” Cejudo added. “When you do that, Kamaru, s—t gets out there. That’s the only reason why I know.
“People, listen to me, bet the house [on] Merab Dvalishvili.”
Sean O’Malley has made major changes for the Merab Dvalishvili rematch
While Cejudo’s claims could provide another hurdle toward a return to the bantamweight throne if true, it’s clear that O’Malley has at least made some lifestyle changes since last time out.
Following confirmation of his immediate shot at UFC title redemption, O’Malley revealed he had cut out some habits, including social media and smoking.
“I feel like a lot of things that have changed in my life are going to attribute to my performance,” O’Malley said on his TimboSugarShow podcast.
“For example, not being on social media. I decided in 2025 I’m done with social media. … I don’t get on social media, and I feel like that’s changed my life. It’s only been three months, but I literally feel like it’s changed my life, and I feel like that’s going to play a role in my performance.
“All those little things, making decisions like that, sacrifices,” O’Malley added. “I don’t believe [social media] is a sacrifice, but giving up something, I feel like that is going to help me perform in the future.”
O’Malley will look to prove his decision to eliminate possible negative habits is the right one come fight night in Newark, where a potential second UFC title reign could await him.