It seems that Dana White and Co. have drawn some bad luck this week, as the highly anticipated UFC event is now shrouded in uncertainty. UFC 317, which is scheduled to take place during International Fight Week, was rumored to feature a middleweight title bout between Dricus Du Plessis and Khamzat Chimaev. However, reports surfaced yesterday revealing that Du Plessis, the reigning champion, has sustained an injury, leaving the undefeated Chechen without an opponent. To add to the turmoil, UFC 316, another significant pay-per-view event in June, has also been impacted by injury.

The bantamweight title fight between Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Sean O’Malley seems to be in jeopardy. While Dana White and Co. have yet to confirm anything, rumors began swirling after a video surfaced online showing ‘Suga’ on crutches. The footage, reportedly taken from his Snapchat, has generated a lot of buzz, though it’s unclear if it’s a new clip or an old one. Former UFC heavyweight contender Brendan Schaub and his co-host weighed in on the situation during an episode of the “Thiccc Boy” YouTube show.

Addressing the growing speculation, Schaub said, “So there was a Snapchat that someone did, and it looked like Sugar Sean had been walking on crutches. The picture is like, or the video is like, very blurry, though. But this is it right here. Huh, he’s definitely building a new mansion on his property, and he’s on crutches. That can’t be good.”

While O’Malley’s injury hasn’t been officially confirmed, if the clip is recent, Schaub doubted the former 135lbs champ’s ability to return at full capacity in time to challenge Dvalishvili and reclaim the bantamweight title. Reacting to the situation, his co-host simply remarked, “It’s not ideal,” prompting Schaub to echo the sentiment: “Not ideal, is correct.”

Still, it’s difficult to draw conclusions based solely on a blurry clip of Sean O’Malley using crutches, especially considering it could be old footage. After UFC 306 at the Sphere in 2024, ‘Suga’ revealed he had been dealing with a torn labrum going into his bout with ‘The Machine’. The injury required surgery and sidelined him for nearly six months.

But the physical toll wasn’t the only hurdle. Losing his belt to an underdog not only dented his momentum but also took a hit on his public image and mental game. Now, with the UFC yet to confirm anything officially, fans are left guessing as O’Malley’s rumored June 7 return date approaches. The real question now is: how’s his preparation coming along? Let’s take a closer look.

What habits did Sean O’Malley quit before UFC 316?

Bad habits often lead to personal downfalls, and Sean O’Malley is well aware of this. With a fresh mindset, ‘Suga’ is focusing on mental clarity and sharper focus as he prepares for UFC 316. After losing his bantamweight title to Merab Dvalishvili last year by unanimous decision, the former champion initially claimed it was a “robbery.” However, he’s accepted the outcome and moved forward.

Post-defeat, O’Malley underwent hip surgery and, with only a few months to go before his return, has left no stone unturned in his preparation. As the headliner for UFC 316 at the Prudential Center in Newark, ‘Suga’ has reinvented himself—both in persona and mindset. But how did he manage this transformation?

In an episode of his YouTube podcast, TimboSugarShow, Sean O’Malley shared, “I decided in 2025 I’m done with social media. I don’t get on social media, and I feel like that’s changed my life. It’s only been three months, but I literally feel like it’s changed my life, and I feel like that’s going to play a role in my performance. All those little things—making decisions like that, sacrifices. I don’t believe (social media) is a sacrifice, but giving up something, I feel like that is going to help me perform in the future.”

Considering the now-deleted Snapchat clip of O’Malley, what are your thoughts? Do you think it raises any red flags given the context, or is it just another reflection of the pressures and distractions he’s actively working to avoid? Share your opinion below.