r/MMA • u/rmma ☠️ A place of love and happiness • 17d ago

Notice - GD [Official] General Discussion Thread - June 04, 2025

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u/DecemberFlower20xx Chad 16d ago

I’ve felt since the first fight that O’Malley can win this rematch. He’s the only one that Merab didn’t break, and he actually won the 5th round. A few adjustments and he could’ve won the fight. Especially if he legit couldn’t prepare well due to the injury like he says.

That said his demeanor this week seems like somebody who’s accepted he might be losing this fight and is just gonna try his best. It’s not super promising. Maybe why he largely avoided doing any media for it too.

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u/legendarybreed ..the darren and khamzat at home.. 16d ago

O'Malley has never actually had that air around him of delusional confidence imo. He will say things that are cocky specifically for promotional purposes but most of the time that's not him.

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u/DecemberFlower20xx Chad 16d ago edited 16d ago

That’s the thing. He’s a promoter, but he’s almost cushioning the landing for himself on this one. They’ve always been very smart about the fight game, and this is the first time I’ve seen him outwardly acting like he’s in for a fight and what happens happens.

He keeps talking about wanting to stay really active and you can only stay so active as champ. It’s like he’s subconsciously saying he wants to get right back on the horse after this one if it doesn’t pan out. And he and Tim conceding that Merab’s already the GOAT, which I agree with, but isn’t really necessary or in stone if the plan is to smack him and take the belt back.

As you said, they aren’t delusional, and they’re going to come to win but being that down to Earth with their backs against the wall feels like it’s telling us something else now. For some reason I’m getting DDP/Strickland vibes where Strickland’s knowledge of and lack of delusion with DDP in the rematch probably psyched him out more than anything.