Sean O'Malley has patched things up with Conor McGregor just days before his crucial bantamweight rematch at UFC 316. The former 135lb champion faces Merab Dvalishvili this Saturday at the Prudential Center in Newark, looking to avenge his September defeat.
The pair's relationship had soured in recent years, with public jabs exchanged online – including McGregor's criticism over O'Malley's previous USADA issues.
"Hell yeah, I will take it," O'Malley responded during UFC 316 media day when told of McGregor's support. "I will forever be a huge Conor fan. I feel grateful to be able to watch his come up in my generation."
Dvalishvili, who claimed the title via unanimous decision in their first encounter, has already successfully defended his belt in January against Umar Nurmagomedov. Many observers are backing the Georgian to repeat his dominant performance.
Interestingly, McGregor threw his support behind O'Malley by comparing his training camp to McGregor's own preparation for the second Nate Diaz fight. "Very reminiscent of my Diaz 2 prep. Intriguing! BIG FIGHT FEEL!" the Irishman wrote on social media.
The 30-year-old O'Malley revealed he's been studying rematches – including McGregor's second bout with Diaz – to analyze how fighters respond when counted out. "I've watched Conor fights more than probably any fights, well, my fights more, but I've watched a lot of Conor fights," he admitted.
O'Malley hasn't stepped into the octagon since his defeat at UFC 306. Can he flip the script against the man who dominated him less than a year ago?
