Sean O’Malley will get his chance to dethrone bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling in a few months. UFC President Dana White announced that Sterling would defend his title for a fourth time against O’Malley at UFC 292 on Aug. 19 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. The champion’s weight cut is one of the things outside of his ability that makes “Sugar” believe he can beat Sterling.
Sterling has been open about making the 135-pound weight limit. He’s physically changed over the years and has talked about moving to featherweight potentially after his fight with O’Malley. His opponent, O’Malley, has considered the weight cut an advantage, as he feels Sterling may be draining himself too much. Before Sterling’s fight with Henry Cejudo at UFC 288 on May 6, “Sugar” had picked Cejudo because he felt the weight cut would affect the champion. However, Sterling was able to outpoint Cejudo and win by split decision.
As the UFC Bantamweight Champion prepares for his title bout, he’s spoken out against O’Malley’s thoughts of using Sterling’s challenging weight cut as an advantage.
Aljamain Sterling (© Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports) and Sean O'Malley (© Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports)
Aljamain Sterling Blasts Sean O’Malley For Thinking Weight Cut Is An Advantage
The champion offered a quick turnaround fight with “Sugar” at UFC 290 on July 8 to prove the weight cut wouldn’t be an issue. However, O’Malley turned it down and wanted to stick to their Aug. 19 date.
A fan commented on Twitter about O’Malley’s belief that the weight cut will affect the champion, and Sterling replied, “It’s the weakest and softest shit to say. “I really hope you’re affected by the quick turnaround, tough weight cut, and any other advantage to save me!” We built different. I want him at his best. No excuses!”
Currently, the betting odds have Sterling as the -255 favorite to retain his bantamweight championship against O’Malley, according to DraftKings. It will be interesting to see the shape of the champion at UFC 292. He also shared he’s been dealing with a bicep injury before his fight with Cejudo, and he’ll be jumping back into training for his fourth title defense soon. While the weight cut may be challenging, Sterling seems motivated to quiet the criticism of O’Malley.