What is Sean O Malley's Walk-Around Weight?

By Ali Hammad June 24, 2024 10:07

Photo by Getty Image

Sean O'Malley, the current UFC Bantamweight champion, has a walk-around weight of approximately 155 pounds. This is a large number, especially considering his weight category and the influencing elements in the correct weight loss process. In this feature, we will explore O'Malley's usual walk-around weight, how it compares to his in-fight weight, and how a professional MMA fighter can keep a certain weight.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Suga Sean O'Malley (@sugasean)

Sean O'Malley's fighting weight class and in fight weight

Sean O'Malley fights in the Bantamweight weight division. Fighters must weigh between 115 pounds and 118 pounds in this category. Sean's walk-around weight of 155 pounds is much more than the fighting weight class's high level. It's assumed that O'Malley has to lose substantial weight before the fight to fit into the Bantamweight class. That pre-fight procedure is called weight cutting.

Factors that influence O'Malley's walk-around weight

Although many factors influence Sean O'Malley's usual walk-around weight, it can be noted that the most critical factors are training, diet, and lifestyle. Because Sean is a professional fighter, his workout can be mentally and physically intense, which may also affect body composition and weight. In addition, it is worth noting that his usual diet, including the meal plan of the fighter during the weight reduction period, can affect O'Malley's walk-around weight.

Morning Weigh-in, Evening Weigh-out

O'Malley's walk-around weight will vary occasionally depending on his fight schedule. His weight will surely go up in the off seasons or those months between fights when he is spending his time on strength gain and muscle mass, too. In contrast, O'Malley undoubtedly participates in weight-cutting activities as the fight date nears to comply with the Bantamweight qualifying stipulations, causing his everyday weight to differ. MMA fighters experiencing these fluctuations are hardly unusual, and many more know how to manipulate the dynamics to ensure they remain within their required weight class limit at all times.

Benefits & Problems of a Steady Walk-Around Weight

Maintaining a walk-around weight also has positive and negative implications, especially for someone like Sean O'Malley. A heavier walk-around weight could enable O'Malley to increase muscle mass and overall physical strength, further improving his training and off-season readiness. At the same time, dropping so much weight to make his way down to the 125-pound flyweight limit is a substantial physical ordeal that can sap his energy, hydration, and general health. Finding that balance between walk-around and in-fight weight is paramount to O'Malley's success and overall health as a professional athlete.

On the Whole

Sean O'Malley's walk-around weight of about 155 lbs opens a small window into the weight-cutting life of a pro mixed martial artist. Such information as the dynamics of his walk-around weight, how it moved relative to his fighting weight class, what factors influenced that movement over the years, how much variation there was between fights, and even whether all this appeared to affect his performance is crucial for understanding just how complicated weight management in combat sports can be.

In deconstructing some of O'Malley's methods and what those processes can mean, a larger picture is drawn on how detailed and committed professional MMA fighters must befit and perform at the top of their game.