Sean O’Malley is heading into UFC 306 firing on all cylinders, as he looks to defend his UFC Bantamweight title for a second time.
The 135lbs champion will face number one contender Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of the stacked UFC 306 card, which will take place this Saturday (September 14), in a card that will celebrate Mexican independence day.
With a unique look and an eye-catching fighting style, it seems fitting that O’Malley will headline the ‘one and done’ event at The Sphere. For months, UFC CEO Dana White has dropped hints about the sheer magnitude of the event and whilst talking to the media, ‘Suga’ said that White’s vision for the show has him extremely excited. He said:
“Dana gave me goosebumps just talking about it. Talking to Dana about anything... off camera, he's the same kind of just fired up, super inspirational to be around. But yeah, once he kind of showed me his vision of it, how much effort he's put into this, how much work the UFC and everyone's put into this, it really gives you a different perspective on how crazy of an event this is going to be.”
It is no secret that the heavy wrestling and grappling style that has booked Dvalishvili his title shot will be on display against O’Malley. The champion kept his cards close to chest when discussing how his camp changed in preparing for such a style. He said:
“Preparation, it went great. It's you know, sparring is just sparring. It is what it is. I enjoy training camp a lot so, it was a good camp and him having that style is either going to work for them or it's going to get him knocked out and we get to find out in a few days.”
In claiming the 135lbs strap, ‘Suga’ defeated Merab’s teammate Aljamain Sterling, in brutal fashion, at UFC 293. The 29-year-old believes that the knock out win over Sterling has certainly made things more personal between himself and Dvalishvili, then went on the question the solidity of Aljo’s and Merab’s friendship.
“I think it's definitely became more personal when I knocked Aljo out. So I think that kind of made it a little bit more personal. But then I started questioning their friendship in the first place because I knock Aljo out and it's like Merab’s turn, but Aljo is like ‘No, I want a rematch.’ And I was like, I don't know if these guys are as friend(ly).
“Then Merab going on and saying, ‘I would have fought Aljo if the UFC gave me a contract.’ So I don't really know what's going on there.”
Post UFC 292, O’Malley revealed that he had suffered a rib injury that greatly hindered his preparation and meant he could not be taken down during the contest. Comparing his title winning camp to his preparation ahead of his second title defence, O’Malley admitted they could not be much further apart.
“I’d say that (Aljo) camp, I'd give it like a D+. Like I was able to still run, I still be able to do my hill sprints, I was still able to hit mits, I was able to get in like good kickboxing shape.
“But as far as like jiu jitsu shape, grappling shape, there was I mean, from six weeks out to the fight, there was none zero. So that camp wasn't necessarily great. This camp I'd give it an A, I think this camp's been f**king excellent and it needs to be because Merab is very, very dangerous. So it needed to be a good camp.
“It was a good camp. And I'm excited to go out there and perform for everyone.”
Watch the full interview below:
