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Sean O’Malley drops key routine shift made for Merab Dvalishvili clash

Originally posted on HITC | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Jul 9, 2025 1:56 AM ET

Before his second loss to Merab Dvalishvili, Sean O’Malley opted for a major lifestyle change – one he’s now ready to reverse.

Sean O’Malley’s run-in with Merab Dvalishvili didn’t go the way he hoped – and now the former UFC bantamweight champion is making another change.

O’Malley walked out to a loud ovation at the Prudential Center in early June, hoping to reclaim his title nine months after losing it, but it didn’t go his way. But it didn’t go his way. Merab Dvalishvili submitted him at UFC 316, making it 2-0 for the champion over the Montana native.

Despite the loss, O’Malley told fans he felt “rejuvenated” by the break – and he’s now planning to get back into his usual routine.

Sean O’Malley announces he is coming back to social media

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O’Malley had pulled away from social media and put content creation on hold for about six months, hoping it would help him focus ahead of the rematch. However, he is now ready to return.

Via Instagram, the Montana native announced his comeback to social media. He also quit smoking, a major change from his usual lifestyle.

“Alright guys, last six months I have been completely off social media,” O’Malley said in a video on his Instagram Stories.

Sean O'Malley says he's returning to social media after a 6-month break to focus on the Merab fight — and he's ready to flood your feed with content pic.twitter.com/b2wXqN05gd
— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) July 8, 2025

“I was not really creating a lot of content. But I feel rejuvenated. I feel like I am excited to create content again. So we are gonna be posting a lot of content. I’ve got a new business coming out.

“I am excited to get the creative juices going,” O’Malley added.

Coach backs O’Malley despite back-to-back title losses

Some have questioned whether back-to-back losses have hurt O’Malley’s star power, but his coach Tim Welch isn’t too worried.

On a recent episode of the Red Hawk Recap podcast, Welch reminded listeners that plenty of fighters have lost multiple times and still kept their fanbases strong – names like Nate Diaz and Jorge Masvidal.

“Look at Nate Diaz, how big of a star he is. How many losses does he have? Jorge Masvidal, how many losses does he have? They’re still just f****** huge draws. Huge stars.”

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

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