Coming from Dana White’s Contender Series, Sean O’Malley will challenge Aljamain Sterling for the bantamweight world title at UFC 292 this weekend.
‘Funkmaster’ Sterling is on an impeccable 9-fight win-streak and has beaten top prodigies like Petr Yan to cement his championship status. That said, ‘Sugar’ O’Malley can look Sterling in the eye and share his resume.
However, Sean O’Malley seems to have a lot of respect for his next opponent, who he tagged to be a GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in the 135 lbs weight category. In a chat with Bloody Elbow, ‘Sugar’ shared his honest opinion on ‘Funkmaster’ Sterling.
He said, “I am fighting a prime bantamweight GOAT right now. He is the best bantamweight UFC has ever had. He’s defended the belt more than anyone. He [Aljamain Sterling] is in his prime.”
Sean O'Malley dubs Aljamain Sterling with GOAT status ahead of their title fight 🐐 #UFC292 | Full story: https://t.co/llfMF5DOYf pic.twitter.com/khXEFzEtif
— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) August 15, 2023
Sterling was severely hated when he won the bantamweight title via DQ at UFC 259. Yan kneed Sterling while the latter was on his knees, and despite hitting the canvas, Sterling became the first UFC champion to win the title via disqualification.
However, Sterling then successfully defended the strap three times, beating Petr Yan in a rematch, TJ Dillashaw, and then Henry Cejudo.
He will now headline UFC 292 against Sean O’Malley this weekend. Women’s strawweight champion Weili Zhang will co-headline the night by putting her UFC title at stake against Amanda Lemos. Here’s a look at the full fight card.
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UFC 292 Sterling vs O’Malley Full Main Card
Aljamain Sterling (C) vs Sean O’Malley- Bantamweight Title Fight Main Event
Weili Zhang (C) vs Amanda Lemos- Women’s Stawweight Title Fight Co Main-Event
Neil Magny vs Ian Garry- Welterweight Fight
Marlon Vera vs Pedro Munhoz- Bantamweight Fight
UFC 292 Sterling vs O’Malley Prelims Card
Chris Weidman vs Brad Tavares- Middleweight Fight
Gregory Rodriguez vs Denis Tiuliulin- Middleweight Fight
UFC 292 Sterling vs O’Malley Early Prelims Card
Andre Petroski vs Gerald Meerschaert- Middleweight Fight
Andrea Lee vs Natalia Silva- Women’s Flyweight Fight
