Sean
O’Malley has made some changes in his approach ahead of his
bantamweight championship rematch with Merab
Dvalishvili at UFC 316
this Saturday.
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O’Malley lost the title in a lopsided unanimous decision defeat to
“The Machine” in their first meeting at UFC 306 this past
September.
„Sean already had a surgery on his hip scheduled before the fight.
He couldn’t [use his] guard the last camp. This camp was totally
different. He was able to train everything, and of course, work on
new stuff for Merab,” Brazilian jiu-jitsu coach Augusto „Tanquinho“
Mendes told Sherdog.com.
According to the multi-time BJJ world champion, O’Malley is so
focused on the fight that he won’t dye his hair prior to Saturday’s
fight in Newark, New Jersey.
„He will come with his hair in natural colors this time,” Mendes
said. “He is really focused on that rematch. Also, he decided to
come heavier and suffer a little more to reach the weight. Last
time he arrived almost on weight for the fight.
In addition to Mendes, Tim Welch and
John Crouch, O’Malley will also have his dad in his corner this
time. Mendes has been O’Malley’s BJJ coach for almost nine years
now, and he believes the brown belt won’t allow the rematch with
Dvalishvili to reach the scorecards.
“I’ve never seen him so focused,” Mendes said. “Of course, Merab is
a monster who deserves all respect, but I truly believe Sean´s
talent will prevail. I dont know if it will be striking or
submitting, but I truly believe he will get back his belt.”