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USA Today
7 hours ago
- Health
- USA Today
Less colorful, more meaningful: Sean O'Malley thinks lifestyle changes key to reclaim UFC gold
Less colorful, more meaningful: Sean O'Malley thinks lifestyle changes key to reclaim UFC gold Show Caption Hide Caption UFC 316: Sean O'Malley media day interview UFC 316 headliner Sean O'Malley spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his bantamweight title rematch vs. Merab Dvalishvili on Saturday in Newark, N.J. MORRISTOWN, N.J. – It's a Sean O'Malley fight week and for the first time since 2020, there's no dye in the cornrows. O'Malley is in late-stage preparations for battle, but the dye isn't the only thing noticeably absent. His style was still there Wednesday as he sported an unbuttoned bright green shirt and his signature fight tattoos. But one accessory was missing: the UFC bantamweight title. Coming off his first UFC title loss and surgery to repair a torn labrum, O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) enters UFC 316 and quite possibly the most pivotal fight of his career. The moment the haters were waiting for, a fall from the top of the mountain, came in September when he lost the championship to Merab Dvalishvili. Despite the circumstances, O'Malley seems more at peace now than ever. "I just feel more slowed down," O'Malley told reporters, including MMA Junkie, on Wednesday. "Life is slower in a good way." The most pivotal adjustments, however, may have come outside the cage. O'Malley's cleansed his lifestyle. "I catch myself driving, kind of surfing Instagram," O'Malley said. "I catch myself doing stuff like that, playing with my daughter, surfing X. Like, 'What am I doing here?' I feel like limiting those distractions, I'm more present with the family, with training, with friends – just in general." Around his 30th birthday, O'Malley made this hard lifestyle pivot. He says the choices came independent of fighting but have paid dividends in enhancing himself as an athlete. "I've always felt like I'm a happy person, but I was like, 'My life is so perfect. Everything is so perfect. I should even be more happy. What can I take away to add to my happiness, to my peace?'" O'Malley said. "It was just to take away distractions. That was just for me, not necessarily for me as an athlete and wanting to be a better fighter. All of that will make me a better fighter, but it wasn't necessarily for that." Gaming, smoking, and even masturbating (which O'Malley previously referenced but was comically gun shy to mention again when pressed by a reporter Wednesday) – they've all been avoided this camp. O'Malley also showed up to fight week with a new baby boy, which he had not yet announced on social media prior to his arrival. "It's been good," O'Malley said. "Nothing to complain about. I had a healthy baby boy a couple weeks ago. All this stuff is fun, and I get to do this, and it's all good. That Sunday rolls around, it's back to being Dad. It's back to the family. That's all. This provides to be able to live the life that we get to live, and I'm super grateful for it. It puts in perspective what life is all about." If "Dana White privilege" is real, O'Malley is likely one of the beneficiaries, even he admits it. But as he also pointed out, the popularity was earned through knockouts, flair, and highlights. Through merit or privilege, O'Malley has a rematch vs. Merab Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) Saturday at UFC 316 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) at Prudential Center in Newark. Perhaps the new, matured O'Malley will hold gold – just like the younger, less family-centric one did. "I feel like I got a good version of Merab," O'Malley said. "He had the best performance of his life against Umar (Nurmagomedov). I don't think he got the best version of me, so I think I can surprise him."
USA Today
a day ago
- General
- USA Today
USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, June 3: Allan Nascimento enters top 15
USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings, June 3: Allan Nascimento enters top 15 UFC on ESPN 68 took place Saturday, prompting a new entry into the men's flyweight division. Although the late cancellation of the main event prevented a move in the women's flyweight division, earlier in the event at the UFC Apex, Allan Nascimento's victory over Jafel Filho caused change on the men's side. Filho entered the event No. 12, but after the loss, falls to No. 14. Nascimento enters the rankings, landing at No. 13. Check out the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.
USA Today
a day ago
- General
- USA Today
Allan Nascimento wants Matt Schnell after UFC on ESPN 68 win in return from long absence
Allan Nascimento wants Matt Schnell after UFC on ESPN 68 win in return from long absence Show Caption Hide Caption Allan Nascimento targets Matt Schnell next after winning UFC fight UFC on ESPN 68 winner Allan Nascimento talks to MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight after his unanimous decision victory over Jafel Filho. LAS VEGAS – Allan Nascimento met the media Saturday after his win over Jafel Filho at UFC on ESPN 68. Nascimento (21-6 MMA, 3-1 UFC) outworked Filho (16-4 MMA, 2-2 UFC) for a unanimous decision with a trio of 29-28 scores on the prelims at the UFC Apex. Nascimento made his return after a layoff of nearly 2.5 years with the win. Afterward, the Brazilian called out flyweight Matt Schnell for a future fight. Check out Nascimento's post-fight news conference in the video above.
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Ramiz Brahimaj explains emotional outburst after devastating choke at UFC on ESPN 68
Ramiz Brahimaj explains emotional outburst after devastating choke at UFC on ESPN 68 Show Caption Hide Caption Ramiz Brahimaj earns win with devastating choke finish at UFC Vegas 107 UFC on ESPN 68 winner Ramiz Brahimaj talks to MMA Junkie and other reporters post-fight after his first-round submission of Billy Ray Goff. LAS VEGAS – Ramiz Brahimaj met the media Saturday after his first-round submission win over Billy Ray Goff at UFC on ESPN 68. Brahimaj (12-5 MMA, 4-3 UFC) took out Goff (11-4 MMA, 1-2 UFC) with a sickeningly brutal standing guillotine choke at the UFC Apex. The win got Brahimaj a $50,000 performance bonus – his second straight. After the win, which kept his perfect finish rate intact and was his 11th submission in 12 wins, Brahimaj explained why the victory made his so emotional. Check out Brahimaj's post-fight news conference in the video above.
USA Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Overreaction Time: Expect the expected at UFC 316? Dana White done building stars? More!
Overreaction Time: Expect the expected at UFC 316? Dana White done building stars? More! The time for overreacting is here! Check out the latest episode of "Overreaction Time" at noon ET/9 a.m. PT as host Simon Samano and MMA Junkie reporter Farah Hannoun debate these "overreactions" on the following topics in mixed martial arts: 0:53 - UFC 316: Another loss to Merab Dvalishvili would spell disaster for Sean O'Malley. 07:00 - UFC 316: Kayla Harrison is about to have her way with Julianna Pena. 11:50 - UFC 316: The fighter facing the most pressure to win is Patchy Mix. 16:20 - Jon Jones will not fight Tom Aspinall because he's too afraid of losing. 22:55 - The UFC will never have another true superstar with Dana White at the helm. Watch the full episode in the video above.
