In a shocking turn of events, Sean O’Malley experienced an unexpected downfall in his highly anticipated rematch against Merab Dvalishvili during the main event at UFC 316. Everything changed when Dvalishvili secured a front headlock, leading to O’Malley’s first-ever submission loss.

Revealing his thoughts on the grappling exchange, O’Malley recounted, "I didn’t feel like it was going to be tight at all. I thought he was stalling, but then it got tight super quickly. I was like, 'Oh damn!' Suddenly, I realized I should have been in a safer position instead of trying to make a move."

Despite facing a setback, O’Malley commended Dvalishvili for his incredible performance. He noted that the Georgian fighter had clearly upped his game since their last encounter, stating, "He felt strong last time, but this time he was freakishly strong. Honestly, he might just be the greatest bantamweight of all time."

Unlike his first fight with Dvalishvili, which left him needing hip surgery, O’Malley walked away from this match unscathed. He emphasized how much healthier he felt after the loss, stating, "I don’t feel sad at all. I’m happy and even though I’m disappointed, there’s no negativity consuming me right now. Life is good with my new baby and my family by my side."

Looking ahead, O’Malley is choosing to take a break from fighting to focus on himself rather than rushing into his next matchup. Although there’s been speculation about potential opponents, including Umar Nurmagomedov, O’Malley is more interested in enjoying some downtime for the next few weeks.

"It’s nice to not think about a fight right now. I just want to chill for a bit before figuring out what’s next," he shared. O’Malley’s focus is now on recovery and family, rather than dwelling on his recent loss.