Sean O`Malley has taken drastic steps in his quest to reclaim the UFC men`s bantamweight championship title, including abstaining from two activities he previously enjoyed.
The popular fighter`s tenure as the top 135-pounder concluded with a demanding and exhausting loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 in September of last year.
Following that decisive defeat, the 30-year-old fighter was compelled to reassess his training regimen and daily routines.
Consequently, he has decided to give up two of his preferred pastimes – marijuana and masturbation.
Speaking on his TimboSuga podcast with head coach Sean Welch, he revealed: “I haven’t j’d the peen (masturbated) once this year – not once in 2025.”
“Haven’t j’d the peen, haven’t been on social media. I also stopped gaming. I quit playing video games.”
“I used to game a lot, two or three hours a day, and I needed to replace that with something.”
“We`ve been playing a lot of Texas Hold `Em poker with the guys. It`s been really fun. It`s like gaming. You say, ‘One more hand.’”
“I quit smoking weed too. I just stopped randomly.”
“I just didn`t like the way it made me feel. I`m not overeating. My sleep is better.”
Despite experiencing the clear benefits of a marijuana-free existence, O`Malley acknowledges he will likely return to smoking `Mary Jane` eventually.
He added: “I’m not done smoking forever, but right now I simply don’t feel the need to. And I just have no desire for it. I feel like it’s been good.”
O`Malley is set to face Dvalishvili again in the main event of UFC 316 in Newark, scheduled for Sunday morning next week.
He is confident that his significant lifestyle adjustments will positively impact his performance in the octagon.
He stated: “I feel like many things that have changed in my life are going to contribute to my performance.”
“For instance, not being on social media. I decided in 2025 that I am finished with social media.”
“I don’t go on social media, and I feel like that has transformed my life.”
“It`s only been three months, but I literally feel like it has changed my life, and I sense that will play a role in my performance.”
“All those minor things – making decisions like that, making sacrifices. I don`t consider [social media] a sacrifice, but giving something up, I feel like that is going to assist me in performing in the future.”
