Sean O'Malley experienced a jaw-dropping moment in the octagon as he became a first-time tap-out victim during his rematch with Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316. What seemed like a standard grappling exchange turned into a stunning submission, leaving the former bantamweight champion in shock.

On his YouTube channel, O'Malley revealed his mindset during the fight, stating, "I didn’t think I was in serious danger. It felt like he was stalling, and then suddenly, I was trapped!" His surprising acknowledgment of the precariousness of the situation came after he felt an unexpected tightness around his neck.

In an honest reflection, O'Malley expressed his frustration, saying, "I wish I had focused more on maintaining my guard instead of trying to get up. No excuses, though. I’ve got to give credit where it’s due." Despite losing to Dvalishvili again—less than nine months after a closely contested decision in their first fight—O'Malley showered his opponent with praise, admitting that Dvalishvili appeared even stronger this time around.

"He felt freakishly strong; it’s clear he made some impressive adjustments," O'Malley noted, adding that Dvalishvili could very well be the greatest bantamweight of all time.

What sets this loss apart for O'Malley is his mental clarity post-fight. Unlike the last encounter, which resulted in him undergoing hip surgery, he walked away from this bout feeling physically good. "My body feels great, and despite the disappointment, I don’t feel sad at all. I'm happy; life could be a lot worse," he said.

In a heartwarming moment, O'Malley shared how family provides him joy. "While I hold my 14-day-old daughter, it puts everything in perspective. I’m not going to dwell on the 'what ifs.' I prefer the positive outlook," he explained.

As for his next fight, O'Malley remains nonchalant, stating he's in no rush to jump back into the ring. Suggestions have been thrown around about a potential clash against Umar Nurmagomedov, but the fighter is more focused on taking time to recuperate without the burden of immediate fight plans.

"I just want to relax for a few weeks. Even if the UFC has plans for me, I don’t want to think about that right now. I’m ready to chill for a while," O'Malley concluded.