Overview

• O’Malley acknowledged on the Between Rounds podcast that trying to be like Conor McGregor led him away from his own approach, calling it a factor in recent struggles.
• He pointed to forcing the buildup to his first Merab Dvalishvili fight at The Sphere as a mistake that made the matchup feel unnatural.
• The 30-year-old has lost consecutive title bouts to Dvalishvili, most recently by submission at UFC 316 in June, making a quick return to a bantamweight title shot unlikely.
• He says the cut to 135 pounds is tough but intends to stay active there this year and expects a move to 145 pounds in the future.
• Reflecting on his rise, he credited viral moments with Snoop Dogg’s Contender Series call and a memorable Joe Rogan interview, as crossover talk such as a speculative Gervonta Davis matchup continues without a booking.