NEWARK, N.J. – Sean O’Malley will look to regain the UFC bantamweight championship this Saturday, and will have his father, Dan, in his corner for the first time. O’Malley (18-2) will face Merab Dvalishvili (17-4) for the bantamweight title at UFC 316. Both fighters met at UFC Noche last September in Las Vegas, where O’Malley lost the belt to Dvalishvili by unanimous decision.
Before UFC 316, O’Malley asked his father to be in his corner as a gift for his 60th birthday, which is this Saturday.
It just demonstrates Sean’s maturity over the last year. I think everyone sees it, but as his father, I really see it. I’m looking at my son and thinking, ‘Man, you’ve really changed.’ It was always hard for him to switch between this ‘Suga’ persona and the real Sean. Now, I really see that Sean’s family is important to him. He’s focused on the important things.
Dan O’Malley
According to Dan, he was scheduled to be O’Malley’s coach in 2018, but the fight was canceled, and they both agreed that it was probably for the best.
I remember Sean saying to me, ‘Thank God,’ because we knew I was going to be very nervous. He said, ‘You were going to be so nervous that you were going to make me nervous.’ Now, I’m going to be super relaxed. I think Sean will be surprised at how calm I am. I have all the confidence in the world in these guys, and I’m just going to enjoy the ride.
Dan O’Malley
Sean O’Malley became a father for the second time last month, when he and his wife welcomed a son, Matteo Montana O’Malley. They also have a daughter, Elena.
