Sean O’Malley has brought Demetrious Johnson in for his UFC 316 training camp.
O’Malley will fight Merab Dvalishvili in a rematch for the UFC bantamweight title in a matter of weeks, and has sought advice from one of the best to ever do it.
Johnson was the first-ever UFC flyweight champion and made a record-breaking 11 consecutive defences of the strap during his seven years with the promotion
He also holds the record for the most consecutive wins in UFC flyweight history with 13.
‘Mighty Mouse’ is widely recognised as one of the greatest mixed martial artists of all time, having also become the ONE flyweight champion after he left the UFC.
After Johnson defeated an opponent 100 lbs heavier than him in a jiu-jitsu match last year, renowned UFC commentator and podcast Joe Rogan had high praise for the fighter.
“He’s probably the best ever,” Rogan said. “In terms of just pure martial arts technique I think the best expression of martial arts technique is Mighty Mouse.”
Rogan has also stated numerous times that Johnson would feature on his Mount Rushmore for the best UFC fighters of all time, alongside the likes of Jon Jones and Conor McGregor.
O’Malley’s grappling must be perfect for UFC 316 on June 8, so it’s no surprise ‘Suga’ has enlisted the help of an elite wrestler like Johnson.
His opponent, Dvalishvili, is the current champion at 135 lbs and undefeated in 12 successive UFC bouts.
In his last fight, the 34-year-old from Georgia broke George St-Pierre’s record for the most takedowns in UFC history.
St-Pierre was one of the most dominant UFC fighters of all time, having won 13 title fights during his 13-year career in Dana White‘s promotion.
However, Dvalishvili proved he can be talked about in the same breath as the Canadian legend, after he defended his belt against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January.
This victory four months after Dvalishvili won his first UFC title by defeating O’Malley at UFC 306 in September.
UFC 306 took place in Las Vegas’ iconic Sphere and shattered numerous records as O’Malley and Dvalishvili had it out in the main event.
Dvalishvili grappled his way to a decision victory on the night, but the fight witnessed several unusual incidents.
The Georgian was warned for trash-talking O’Malley’s coach in round one, before he tried to kiss his opponent after the latter fouled with a glove grab later in the round.
‘Suga’ had his best round in the last as he hurt Dvalishvili with body kicks, but he was unable to capitalise, and the judges crowned a new bantamweight champion.
UFC 316 pay-per-view card
Two title fights at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O’Malley – Men’s bantamweight title fight
Julianna Peña vs. Kayla Harrison – Women’s bantamweight title fight
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer – Middleweight
Mario Bautista vs. Patchy Mix – Bantamweight
Vicente Luque vs. Kevin Holland – Welterweight
O’Malley had won the belt by knocking out Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292 in August 2023 and defended it against his longtime rival Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera five months later.
He now has the opportunity to become a two-time UFC bantamweight champion, although the oddsmakers will favour the current king Dvalishvili.
