What happens if Sean O'Malley loses at UFC 316? Chael Sonnen addresses potential move for 'Suga'

Chael Sonnen thinks Sean O'Malley can move up to featherweight if he loses to Merab Dvalishvili again. O'Malley is set to lock horns with Dvalishvili in a few hours from now at UFC 316 in a rematch of their UFC 306 bout, which saw 'The Machine' dethrone 'Suga' via unanimous decision.

To reclaim the lost bantamweight strap and avenge his prior loss, the former champion took a break from the sport, adopted a stricter lifestyle, refined his techniques, and has promised that it will be a different fight this time.

Meanwhile, Dvalishvili, who defended his strap earlier this year against Umar Nurmagomedov, winning via unanimous decision, is now aware that O'Malley might find a way to stop his takedowns. Hence, the Georgian is ready to strike with O'Malley and will be looking to find a finish.

Sonnen, meanwhile, shared his take on what potentially happens if O'Malley loses at UFC 316. The UFC Hall of Famer in an Instagram video quipped:

"What happens to O'Malley if he loses this fight? I'll tell you what happens to him. He becomes a 145-pounder. O'Malley likely takes but a meaningful break. But I think he will come to the conclusion because Merab's not gonna leave that weight class. O'Malley's got the frame."

Sonnen added:

"O'Malley's gotta mess with and live a very certain lifestyle right now to not be a 145-pounder. O'Malley's not gonna be one of the guys that's hanging around. There's gonna be a path to a world championship, or he's not gonna be here, and that path will be at 145. I wanna make sure that you guys understand what the hell's on this table. They are fighting for the greatest 135-pounder of all time. Just so you know."

Check out Chael Sonnen's comments about Sean O'Malley below:

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Sean O'Malley's coach predicts Merab Dvalishvili rematch

In a recent YouTube video posted to his channel, Sean O'Malley's coach, Tim Welch, shared his prediction for the Merab Dvalishvili vs. O'Malley 2 bout. Welch believes his pupil will look for the right opportunity to TKO 'The Machine' to become the reigning UFC bantamweight champion again.

Welch said:

"It's gonna be a war. We're planning for a 25-minute battle... Merab shooting at the wrong time. Merab maybe getting wobbled by a shot, taking a shot at the wrong time, getting knee'd up the middle to the lips, maybe to the beak. [O'Malley] knees his beak, hurts Merab. Boom, boom, boom, boom. And he starts just to ground and pound. TKO, Sugar Show gets it done! He's a champion again."

Check out Tim Welch's comments on Merab Dvalishvili vs. Sean O'Malley 2 below (8:06):