UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley is engaging in diverse training methods as he prepares for his highly anticipated rematch against Merab Dvalishvili. Recently, this preparation included a sparring session with an unconventional partner: professional poker player and popular YouTuber Frankie C.
The session was documented in a video released on O’Malley’s official YouTube channel over the past weekend. This follows a growing trend where high-level MMA fighters spar with influencers or fans, often sharing the footage. Sean Strickland, for instance, is known for similar interactions with YouTubers, and now “Suga” Sean has participated in this type of cross-discipline encounter.
According to the video, the interaction began with O’Malley and Frankie C competing in a heads-up poker match. However, the transition from cards to combat sports revealed a clear difference in expertise. While O’Malley took care to avoid causing serious injury, he distinctly had the upper hand in the sparring portion. He controlled the pace and landed multiple body shots, which ultimately led to Frankie C being momentarily dropped in the cage.
Credit is due to Frankie C for entering the session with realistic expectations. He openly admitted to understanding the vast skill gap and noted that O’Malley is “very scary,” but expressed confidence that the sparring would not result in any permanent harm. O’Malley himself confirmed his intention was not to seriously hurt Frankie C, but rather to provide him with a memorable and intense experience.
“I want him to feel like he got hit by a truck,” O’Malley stated in the video. “I want to hurt him in the body, I want to kick his leg a couple times. A hard couple leg kicks. I’m going to try and get him really, really tired.”
O’Malley is set to defend his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 316. The event is scheduled to take place on June 7th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
