Main: Conor McGregor sits against the fence after being submitted by Khabib Nurmagomedov at UFC 229. Inset: Sean O'Malley is interviewed inside the cage after his win over Marlon Vera at UFC 299. Credit: Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Sean O’Malley tells Conor McGregor he’d ‘benefit’ from the changes he made for Merab Dvalishvili rematch

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated Aug 2, 2025 8:08 AM ET

Former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley thinks Conor McGregor would do well to follow in his footsteps.

O’Malley was sidelined to recover from injury after losing the 135-pound title to Merab Dvalishvili in September 2024. He was granted an immediate rematch upon his return and committed to some lifestyle adjustments in the lead-up.

Things ultimately did not go to plan for ‘Suga’ on fight night at UFC 316 this past June. Nine months after his decision defeat at the Sphere, O’Malley was submitted by Dvalishvili in their second clash at Newark’s Prudential Center.

Though the changes he made did not result in a victory against Dvalishvili, O’Malley still felt the benefit from them — and he thinks one fellow UFC star would too.

Sean O’Malley says Conor McGregor would ‘benefit’ from ditching unnecessary distractions

Ahead of his shot at redemption against ‘The Machine’, O’Malley revealed he’d given up several vices, including marijuana and social media. That marked a major change for the ex-champ, who has become a prominent figure online.

And despite O’Malley reversing the social media break a few weeks on from UFC 316, he insists that it still had a positive influence on him.

“I didn’t do that so I could go out and fight better…I did that for a lifestyle, I did that for my own mind,” O’Malley said during a recent appearance on the Overdogs Podcast with former UFC fighter and current BKFC star Mike Perry.

“Not smoking, not drinking, not partying…doing what I am supposed to be doing…completely dialed in. I really want to take advantage of these next five, six years that I can compete.

“I feel better than I’ve ever felt,” O’Malley added.

Given Conor McGregor’s social media antics and penchant for a party lifestyle, O’Malley thinks the Irishman could also reap the rewards from making similar lifestyle adjustments.

“I think he would benefit from it,” O’Malley said when Perry suggested ‘The Notorious’ should follow the same regimen.

Sean O’Malley is not giving up hope of beating Merab Dvalishvili

O’Malley is now down two fights to Dvalishvili in their series after being sent to the first losing skid of his career by the Georgian. But that does not mean the Montana native has taken the champ out of his sights.

In a video posted to his X account, O’Malley admitted he is “delusional’ about Dvalishvili and his chances of getting redemption against him. His justification for that stance was Max Holloway’s win over Dustin Poirier in July, which came at the third time of trying for ‘Blessed’.

“I truly believed that I was going to go out and make Merab look stupid,” O’Malley said of his UFC 316 defeat.

“I’m still so delusional that I still think I can beat Merab.

“Max Holloway beat Dustin in his third fight, lost the first two. So never say never,” O’Malley added.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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