Excitement runs high as the city of Newark, New Jersey prepares itself for UFC 316, a thrilling event featuring a lineup of amazing fights, with two bantamweight championship bouts at the helm. Juliana Peña and Kayla Harrison are set to bring their A-game in an eagerly-awaited matchup in the penultimate fight of the night. Yet, it is the main event that has captured the most attention – a critical rematch pitting the reigning monarch, Merab Dvalishvili, against the crowd’s beloved, Sean O’Malley.
Their initial showdown took place at UFC 306, held in the vibrant city of Las Vegas at the Sphere, where Dvalishvili’s unconventional fighting style and persistent grappling caught O’Malley off-guard. But the tables might turn in this rematch, as O’Malley asserts his readiness for whatever strategy Dvalishvili presents inside the octagon.
‘To vanquish Merab, one needs utmost concentration, precision, and the right groundwork,’ argues O’Malley, adding, ‘He is rightfully nicknamed ‘The Machine’ as he truly embodies one. My main aim throughout this entire preparation phase has been to disrupt and dismantle ‘The Machine.”
O’Malley further elaborated on his game plan, stating, ‘I’m gearing up for a full-length 25-minute duel. I won’t be taken aback if I dominate the early rounds and emerge victorious by neutralizing him during the initial segments of the fight. I have the capability to end the battle early; he may be proficient in his approach but even a single error can cost him the victory.’
While the anticipation of the fight has been centre-stage this week, O’Malley garnered attention off the fighting ring as well. Sharing some personal news, he disclosed that his father, soon to be turning 60, will be offering his support from his corner during the title match.
Adding another layer of sentiment to the story, O’Malley revealed that he has become a father again. He and his partner welcomed their second child, a precious baby boy, just a little over a week ago. Brimming with excitement, he confirmed the news that has been making the rounds.
‘Yes, there’s been talk that you’ve recently become a dad to a little boy,’ shared Tim Welch, O’Malley’s coach, in a podcast episode. A delighted O’Malley replied, ‘That’s correct…a 10-day-old boy.’
He admitted that they had opted to keep the baby’s sex a surprise until birth, and he had actually been expecting a girl. But as it turns out, they’ve been blessed with a son.
Speaking about his new phase in life, O’Malley said, ‘It’s incredible. The feeling is tranquil—each time I come home after a day’s work, the anticipation of holding him fills me with joy. It’s the most soothing feeling I’ve ever experienced.’
These big life milestones mean that as he steps into the octagon on Saturday, O’Malley does so with a whirlwind of emotions, having his father alongside him in the ring, his mind brimming with the bliss of newborn son, and bearing the ambition to recapture the bantamweight belt.
However, the one man standing between O’Malley and his aspirations is Merab ‘The Machine’ Dvalishvili. Holding an impressive 19-4 record and the title for the maximum takedowns in UFC history, Dvalishvili is not one to be taken lightly.
As this plethora of personal and professional factors collides on Saturday, the stage is set for a memorable night of UFC that is sure to be written down in the sport’s history books. Whether the evening concludes with a celebratory O’Malley or a triumphant Dvalishvili, fans all over the world are in for a night filled with epic fights and unforgettable drama.