In a recent interview with ESPN, Sean O’Malley’s long-time head coach and friend, Tim Welch, confessed, “It really caused us to truly level up as humans, and looking back, it was really good for us.” The “level up” comment? A reference to O’Malley losing his bantamweight crown to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 last year in September. Now, ‘Suga’ is on the hunt to reclaim gold, and this time, he’s coming in with an arsenal sharpened to a razor’s edge. With their rematch at UFC 316 looming large, Sean O’Malley gave the fans a sneak peek into his preparation, and let’s just say, he looked dangerous!

In the clip posted by ‘Red Corner MMA’ on Instagram, O’Malley moved with purpose and precision. Spinning back kick? Nailed. Head-body combos? Like clockwork. Teep kicks, knees up the middle, a roundhouse to the dome, and his signature fade away cross, Sean O’Malley painted a masterpiece on the pads, with Tim Welch holding them steady.

The video caption said it best with, “Suga looking crispy,” and the post asked the fans, “Looking sharp ahead of his rematch with Merab. How do you guys see this one playing out.” But here’s the twist: this isn’t just a highlight reel. It’s a statement. The last time they met, Merab Dvalishvili smothered O’Malley like a wet blanket.

According to the official stats for their UFC 306 bout, ‘Suga’ managed to land only 49 out of 91 total strikes. ‘The Machine’? He kept O’Malley from getting off any significant offense with 6 takedowns landed out of 15 attempts that led to a control time of 10 minutes over 5 rounds. The fight wasn’t a bloodbath, it was a tactical dismantling. O’Malley barely took damage, but he couldn’t breathe under the Georgian’s relentless grind.

In his conversation with ESPN, Welch confessed, “We’re preparing for the worst, and last time, we didn’t get to prepare for the worst.” So, how are fans feeling after watching Sean O’Malley float like a butterfly and sting like a bee in the training video that has now gone viral? Here’s a look at what the netizens had to say!

Sean O’Malley leaves the fans stunned with his jaw-dropping striking training for Merab Dvalishvili rematch

One fan wrote, “Suga by TKO.” After watching the video, the prediction came easily. Sean O’Malley looked dialed in, mixing up his strikes with the calm of a sniper. The crispness of the combos, especially the spinning back kick and the sniper-like cross, made fans believe he might do what he did against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292, a vicious TKO finish following a thunderbolt-like counter!

Another commented, “That kick will defo do damage!” That spinning back kick wasn’t just flashy, it was fast and surgical. Aimed at the liver, it’s the kind of shot that makes you wince just watching. Given Merab Dvalishvili’s takedown-heavy style, fans think O’Malley might use that kick to break the rhythm before the grind begins. What do you think?

One fan claimed, “Maybe this fight after 4 rounds score will be 2-2 and in 5th round Merab gonna start his game and win, this is what i see but i want Suga to be champion.” It’s the battle of heart versus logic. The fan sees a repeat of UFC 306, tight rounds, with Dvalishvili pulling away late. But hope for a different ending hangs in the air. O’Malley’s visible improvements and discipline might be the key reasons to believe in a redemption arc this time around.

“The old Suga looking flowy,” another said. Sean O’Malley’s movement looked effortless in the video, a far cry from how he looked inside the Octagon at The Sphere. Fans who’ve followed him since his rise on Dana White’s Contender Series recognized the rhythm in a heartbeat.

And one fan put it plainly, writing, “In all fairness, he is a masterful striker.” There was no need for hype, just facts. Sean O’Malley’s striking, when unhindered, is among the slickest in the division. And with a 60% KO/TKO rate in the UFC, ‘The Machine’ might be in for a long night at UFC 316 if the latest training video is a sign of things to come!

In conclusion, with his latest training video setting the internet ablaze, Sean O’Malley has done more than just show off slick moves. He’s reignited fan belief. The crisp combos, fluid movement, and striking precision have reminded everyone why ‘Suga’ became champion in the first place. As UFC 316 draws near, the tide of support is clearly swelling behind him, with many convinced he’s sharp enough to turn the tables on Merab Dvalishvili. But when the cage door closes, will fan faith and striking finesse be enough to stop ‘The Machine’? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!