MORRISTOWN, N.J. (AP) — After a challenging title fight that could have established him as the face of the UFC, Sean O’Malley recognized the need for a significant lifestyle makeover. Understanding that to reach his peak performance as both a fighter and a family man, he had to make some tough changes. O’Malley actively decided to eliminate his bad habits, embarking on a complete detox from his vices.
O’Malley has essentially cleansed himself of distractions, including the time-consuming habit of scrolling through social media and the hours spent gaming each day—although he still indulges in a bit of poker. Remarkably, he has even quit smoking marijuana. The 30-year-old contender has also transformed his appearance, abandoning his signature dyed hair and opting for a more subdued brown, braided style. He is all business as he prepares for his title fight in the UFC bantamweight division against Merab Dvalishvili during the main event of UFC 316.
O’Malley, known for his spectacular knockouts and eye-catching style, was unbeaten in seven consecutive fights when he faced Dvalishvili last September. Dvalishvili, a 34-year-old fighter from Georgia, captured the championship in a dominant, though not visually appealing, unanimous decision victory over O’Malley. Following his victory, Dvalishvili successfully defended his title against Umar Nurmagomedov and enters UFC 316 as a slight favorite to win again, according to BetMGM Sportsbook.
“I’m ready for the best version of Sean O’Malley,” Dvalishvili stated. If O’Malley has truly managed to eliminate distractions from his life, he seems poised to deliver just that. “I never felt like I was in a bad place or dark place,” O’Malley explained. “I always felt pretty good. I always felt like I could feel better. Whether it helps the performance or not, I feel better. That’s all that matters.”
Recently, O’Malley and his wife welcomed their second child, a son named Matteo. This life-changing moment prompted him to realize that he had become almost addicted to his “Suga” persona. By limiting distractions, he has found that he can be more present with his family, during training, and with friends. “I’d catch myself distracted while driving or playing with my daughter, and it was like, what am I doing?” he reflected. “Limiting those distractions definitely made me more present.”
O’Malley also takes comfort in his performance history in rematches. Since his UFC debut in 2017, he has endured two losses—one to Marlon Vera in 2020, which he avenged in March 2024, and the other to Dvalishvili. In their initial fight, O’Malley was hindered by a torn labrum in his hip and required surgery afterward. “He didn’t get the best version of me,” O’Malley noted.
Regarding his new haircut, O’Malley explained that it was simply a matter of convenience rather than an effort to downplay his “Suga” character. “I love the pink hair. It’s fun, but it’s a process,” he said. “I thought bringing back the OG hair would be pretty cool.” However, if he secures a victory, he has other plans. “I’ve got to jet home at 3 a.m.,” he said. “There’s no after party this time. I’m going straight home.”
In another highlight of UFC 316, Olympic medalist Kayla Harrison is poised to contend for the UFC championship against 135-pound titleholder Julianna Peña. Harrison humorously mentions that she keeps her Olympic gold medals in a sock drawer, but she has much grander ambitions for the UFC championship belt.
Harrison made history as the first U.S. judoka to win Olympic gold medals, achieving this feat in the women’s 78-kilogram division at the 2012 London Olympics and again in Rio 2016. After transitioning to MMA in 2018, the 34-year-old Harrison quickly rose to fame, becoming a two-time $1 million prize champion in the Professional Fighters League. With an impressive MMA record of 18-1, she is now a formidable contender in the UFC.
Peña, who secured the championship with an upset victory over Raquel Pennington last October, faces Harrison as the betting underdog. Despite having two losses in her last five fights, Peña is undeterred by criticism and skepticism from the oddsmakers, including UFC Hall of Famer Khabib Nurmagomedov. “I moved on to the next greatest thing since sliced bread, and it was Kayla,” Peña fired back, expressing confidence in her ability to defend her title.
Also competing at UFC 316, Joe Pyfer is excited to fight closer to his South Jersey home, just two hours from his childhood neighborhood in suburban Philadelphia. Pyfer was initially scheduled to fight in Mexico City against Kelvin Gastelum, but a severe illness forced him to withdraw. The bout has since been rescheduled.
“I got super sick and I was sick for weeks,” Pyfer recounted, explaining that he lost 14 pounds in just seven hours due to the illness. Growing up in a challenging environment, he credits his high school wrestling coach, Will Harmon, for guiding him toward a professional career in UFC. “He’s always going to be somebody very special in my life,” Pyfer emphasized, acknowledging Harmon’s pivotal role in his journey.
“Without him, none of this is possible, to be honest,” Pyfer concluded, showing gratitude for the support that has shaped his path in the world of mixed martial arts.
