The Herd with Colin Cowherd - Sean O’Malley calls Merab Dvalishvili SLOPPY: “I KNOW I can put his lights out”

Episode Date: June 7, 2025

Suga Sean O’Malley is BACK on another episode of the Daniel Cormier Check-In ahead of his Bantamweight title fight rematch against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316. O’Malley talks about losing the belt to Merab, and how he still feels like the champ, and his No. 1 priority is avenging his loss and becoming world champion again. Sean also speaks about how he knows he can knock Merab out, and is looking forward to a finish on Saturday night. #Volume #HerdSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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The volume. What's up, guys? UFC 316 goes down this weekend from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. And once again, I'm parting up with the Draft King Sportsbook to give all new customers a fantastic offer. All you got to do, sign up using my promo code DCTV and bet only $5 or more and get $300 in bonus bets. When the original bet hits. Look, Rob DeWallis Willie and Sean O'Malley are fighting for the second time. We also get Kayla Harrison taking on Juliana Pena.

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Minimum minus 500 odds required. Bonus bets expire 168 hours after issuance. For additional terms and responsible gaming resources, see dkng.co slash audio. Thank you for checking in with me again. Guys, Sugar Sean O'Malley tries to get his UFC championship back this weekend. Training camps over, been away for a while, man. What does the year look like?

I know a lot of changes. But in the immediate after the fight, what was the thought process? It sucked because I knew I had to get surgery right after the fight. And in my mind, I was like, I'm going to go out there and win, get surgery, chill. It's going to be great. But having to get surgery coming off a loss wasn't great. That was, you know, getting surgery sucks.

You get laid up for a while. Can't do much. So, you know, after the first few weeks, months, I was like, you know, it bothered me. I wanted to get it back so bad. But I feel like part of that is how I healed so fast and was able to get back to work so fast. and my mind was focused, hyper-focused on Marab, or, I mean, Umar or Marab, and Marab got the job done. You know, when you were injured, it was a hip, uh, labrum.

We thought it was your shoulder. Yeah. The whole time we're like talking about this dude hurt his shoulder. It's like, but then it was your hip, and there's no defending takedowns with a messed up hip, right? Was there ever a thought to not, or was the, or did you? put so much emphasis on, well, this is a massive car, and the sphere, all this other stuff,

I need to show up, like. It was both. I was confident I could go out there and knock Marab out. You know, I did it against Aljo. I had a worse, you know, the Aljo fight was worse. Like, the camp was, like, you know, I would say the rib was worse than the actual hip. So the hip didn't play as much a role in the fight as the camp.

Like, I just, out, to fight someone like Marab, you've got to prepare right. You've got to wrestle. You've got to be grappling. and we didn't do that at all, hardly at all, the first fight. And I think that played a role more so than the actual fight, you know, just the timing of wrestling. And I wasn't able to do that. This camp, we've been able to wrestle more than we've ever been able to.

But I accept with the fight because I thought I was going to win. I walked into the cage. I walked in there confident that I was going to win. And it was the sphere. I knew it was going to be massive. I knew it was going to break records. And a part of me, you know, looked up to, you know, Floyd and Connor to make those crazy records. In those moments.

Yeah, I wanted that. So, you know, no regrets. Sean, I got to ask you something. We talk, look, so I'm in the business of talking an opinion. It says what we do all the time. Chale and I sit on the show two times a week talking about this sport. A lot of times it's about you. We were talking about you in the moment.

You just kind of mentioned the sphere was big. You walked out there the first time. And I saw you kind of go, oh, where you kind of like knocked back a little bit when you looked at the venue? because it was mad to see a hundred foot tall Sean O'Malley walking out to the octagon it had to be like like almost like awestruck a little bit because I looked at your eyes and you went you did this did you did I wanted to ask you because again I'm telling people what I think you're thinking opposed to what you can actually tell me yeah I didn't I didn't feel like

it affected me at all you know usually the bigger the more pressure the better that are you know the more eyeballs the bigger the event the the better for me. So I didn't feel like that affected me in any way, negatively. You know, that fight played out how it was supposed to play out. This fight will play out the way it's supposed to play out. And I feel like there was, you know, it just makes this win that much better, not much sweeter. So, you know, it was, he won.

It wasn't because the sphere. It wasn't because the light. It wasn't the pressure, wasn't the moment. It was in my, it was my preparation. So most times were wrong. I mean, like, we're more wrong. right one time they clipped off all the wrong thing that Ryan and I did we literally had nine of ten wrong like but most of us they're wrong so okay I was wronging

down to I want to ask you this so you're I saw a video today and I was talking to coach Tim about you created a fight environment in your gym I was telling him that when I was getting ready for the 2004 Olympics we would do match simulation so we would get up in the morning we do like a weight a way in then we would wrestle matches and I'm remember one time, I wasn't taking it as serious as I could. I lost Sean. First match.

And so I'm like, run it back. Coach is like, no. He's like, you don't get to run it back. You lost. Your Olympic Games is over. And he kicked my ass out of the wrestling room. He would not, I'm crying, Sean, because now I can put myself in the Olympic Games and I just blew the opportunity of my life.

How much were you able to put yourself in the actual fight by creating that simulation? and how often did you do it and how much do you expect it to help you going into this weekend? I feel like I've always been able to show up and perform. Yeah, you have. That last fight, I didn't, but I don't really, I don't overthink and think, oh, man, do I still got it? What happened?

You know, it is what it is. I think adding that, the simulation, the walkout, you know, we're training in a full-size octagon now. Yeah. I think all that helps. You know, every little thing you can do at this high level helps, And I think that probably, you know, plays a role. And, yeah, I think it'll help.

Once he didn't let me wrestle that match, I swear to God, every other simulation I took so serious. Because your goal is to become a world champion, right? And then you can kind of live into it. So I went and spoke to Marab two days after you guys fought. Sean, he was running. He literally was running afterwards. Now, you've made a lot of changes, right? You know, smoke, you're all socials.

The mental part, knowing what you're dealing with, did that help? Because you seem honestly more laid back, more measured, more calm, no distractions. Knowing that you're dealing with a guy like that, does that make you have to level up and go, to beat this dude, I've got to be a little bit of a different version of myself? Yeah. I mean, to beat Marab, you've got to be focused, you got to be dialed, You got to have the correct preparation. And they call him the machine for a reason.

He's a machine. So I've got to go out there and break the machine. That's been the goal this whole camp, is go out there and break the machine. You get this bell back this weekend. Like, what does it feel like to you, Sean? Because you were anointed to become a champion. We all expected you at some point to become a champion.

You become the champion. It's almost like, this is why I'm supposed to be. But then when you have to live without that thing, I did it, right? John Jones beat me, and I was like, oh, my God, I took this thing for granted a little bit. Can you have a different appreciation for this belt, what it means to you and everything else now that we go forward

if you win this weekend? Yeah, probably. I feel like I never really got too attached to like. I felt like the champ before. Before the belt, I felt like I was the champ. I still feel like I'm the champ. Win or lose after this fight, well, maybe lose it two in a row. Maybe I won't feel like the champ.

I feel like I'm the champ. with or without the belt. I never really got too attached to it. But it is weird. You realize, like, damn, I don't. Like, that is the belt. I got the belt at home, but I'm not the champ. Like, there is that a little bit,

but I never got, like, too attached to, like, I'm sugar, the UFC champ. Like, I'm just, I enjoy fighting. It feels more, it's going to feel better beating Marab that I'm beating Marab rather than getting the belt back. But it is cool. You look back.

I took the belt from Algeman Sterer, the greatest band of all time at the time. I took the belt from Marab de Wallachwili, the greatest bantamweight of all time at the time. They're training partners. You know, it's a movie. You can't make that up. So I think that'll be a cool storyline. But as far as, like, I just want to beat Marab.

Like, the belt coming with it is extra. And you get paid more when you're the champ. Yeah. It's always great. So, but yeah, this is more just like I want the Marab win back rather than I need the bell back. As much as outside of the self changes, you've made has life changed much for Sean O'Malley since not having the belt I mean in terms of like obviously sponsorship and everything has anything changed since not having the belt not that I not

that I noticed life's still good life so you got so much money that you if a sponsor quit then you don't even notice that it I mean you making money like that sugar we got it like that I just had a baby boy a couple a couple weeks ago brand new little baby so that's uh you know that occupies a lot of my time, a lot of my thinking, a lot of my life is being a dad, being a father, and, you know, we're traveling a lot less, which I really enjoy. I love my property out there in Arizona. So, you know, with with or without belt, champ, not champ, fighting, not fighting, like, life's good. Life is good. Yeah.

Yeah. So I saw in that simulation, the guy tried to shoot a double leg on you. You defend it effectively. I also saw a clip the other day saying that you'd like to go wrestle with Khabi and those guys. Like, that is, would you really want to go over? Those guys are nuts, man. No, I mean, it would be cool to be in the same room, train with them, you know, be a part of their session something.

Like, that would be cool. I'm not trying to fucking go. Because at the end of the day, you still are mixed martial artists that want to just get better and can recognize if there's an opportunity, you're right? Yeah, I mean, Habib's an absolute legend. It would just be, you know, how many tricks and little tips and stuff you could learn from them

in one session? Like, yeah. It would be cool to do. Probably will never do it. Not going to Dagestowne. You're like, I ain't going to Dagestowne. I'll come there. I mean, yeah, no, they're legends over there,

and what they got going on is cool. Yeah, it would be cool. But this weekend is all about you in this championship. What is Saturday night look like? What's your expectation? How do you expect this fight to end if you are to become a two-time UFC Bannonway champion? I'm prepared for a 25-minute war.

Like, I would not be surprised. I'm getting my hand raised and new. First round, K.O., second round K.O. I know I can put his lights out. I know I can. He's sloppy. He's mastered his style. He's really good at it.

But it takes one mistake. Aljo made that one mistake in the second round. It takes one mistake for me to put someone's lights out for the fight to change. So I wouldn't be surprised to get him out of there early, but I'm prepared and planned to go with 25 minutes. One last thing before I let you go. Smoking and everything. Done forever?

Like with those changes, like, are you good? Could you go back? Like, I mean, seriously. Social media is like, I have no desire to get back on there and scroll and, you know. It takes a be life. Yeah, I don't really have any desire to that. You know, taking a little puff after the win, a little victory puff. That sounds fantastic.

It sounds nice, huh? Yeah. That's not done forever, but, yeah. You actually go fly through New Jersey. If you ain't smoked in that long, you're going to act. We might drive through, we might drive down the street and see Sean O'Malley just floating on the air like that. Yeah, well. My man.

Good luck this weekend, though. Guys, Sugar Sean O'Malley fights in the Bannamway Championship this weekend. Tries to become a two-time UFC Bannamway championship. Champion, tapping everything he's doing, his YouTube channel, all of his socials. Even though he doesn't use it, go follow the man. They are still there. Until next time, like, subscribe, and tell you friends about my YouTube channel, because I'm checking in with people like the Sugar Show.

Until next time, peace. Hey, YUFC-316. Do not miss this man in the Octagon. Hey, guys, it's us. The Jonas Brothers. I'm Joe. I'm Kevin. And I'm Nick.

And guess what? We created our own podcast called, Hey, Jonas. Nice. We invented a podcast? Well, we didn't invent it. We just contributed to it. We're the first people to do podcasts. We get to ask other people questions because we're sick and tired of being asked questions.

Well, sick and tired is a strong way to put it, but, you know, tired and sick. Tired and sick. Listen to Hey Jonas on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcast. Just listen. We don't care where you hear it. Another podcast from some SNL late night comedy guy, not quite. Unhumor me with Robert Smigel and Friends. Me and hilarious guests from Bob Odenkirk to David Letterman help make you funnier.

This week, my guest, S&L's Mikey Day and head writer, Streeter Seidel, help an acapella band with their between songs banter. Where does your group perform? We do some retirement homes. Those people are starving for banter. Listen to humor me with Robert Smigel and friends on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. What's up, fam? It's Isaiah Thomas. And I'm C.J. Toledano.

It's our favorite time of the year on our podcast point game, the playoffs. We're digging into the biggest surprises of the season. And I'm looking back on some of my greatest playoff moments. on this. If we didn't talk ever again, I was hungry. You just understood. That's how personal it got. Wow. Then after that game seven, Mark keep coming to you. He's like, you know I love you, dog. You know, it's all love. This was just playoffs. This was just basketball. So listen to Point Game on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. Hey, I'm Deanna Maria Riva. And on my new podcast, How Hard Can It Be? I call on my Gen X squad from Ohio to Hollywood as we navigate Midlife's most fantastic BS. Unfiltered conversations from. From night sweats to futas to scheduling sex.

Wait, what sex? Is it just me or does every woman my age want to look at Pinterest instead of having sex sometimes? They say we can't polish a turd, but we're sure going to try. So let's get blunt with laughs, tears, or tears of laughter. Listen to How Hard Can It Be with Diana Maria Riva on the IHeart Radio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts. This is an IHeart podcast. Guaranteed Human.