Sean O’Malley will be one of those people who will be paying more attention to UFC 288 than most people. This weekend in Newark, New Jersey, the UFC bantamweight championship is the main event as incumbent champion Aljamain Sterling tries to thwart the comeback of former two-division champion Henry Cejudo. After not fighting since May 2020, much discussion centred on whether it was appropriate for Cejudo to return to the title picture straight away. However, the top contenders became compelled by the clash.
O’Malley claims that the UFC has already assured him that he will have a chance to face the winner because he is now ranked No. 2 in the organization’s official 135-pound rankings. “Sugar” has talked about the fight a lot since rumours first started, but up until this week, no formal decision had been made.
Sean O’Malley gives his Verdict on Sterling vs. Henry
He said: “I’m gonna say I think Henry gets the job done,” Sean O’Malley said on The Bro’Malley Show. “[The run-in] was kinda awkward. I get it. They’re just like, ‘Hey, we’re fighting. You know what I’m saying? Crushing another man’s dreams.’
“I think Henry’s going to out-pace ‘Aljo.’ I think Aljo’s cutting too much weight. I think Henry is going to get the decision or get the job done in the later rounds. I’m calling it right now. They both said they want me.” Read More: Ben Rothwell on the hunt for the BKFC heavyweight title, Rips the Champ Belcher
The Delayed Fight is Finally Going as Per Schedule
The fight with Cejudo was supposed to be announced at UFC 285 in March, but a nagging bicep issue delayed Sterling’s side. O’Malley concludes that it might just be a marginal aspect to take into account in addition to the constant weight loss he has undergone over the years as a result of competing against the smaller and faster Cejudo.
Sean O’Malley Adding More to His Comments
“I was saying Aljo could take his back, I was saying Henry could do this … and I really — it’s in New Jersey,” O’Malley said. “It’s kind of hometown for Aljo. He did say, ‘Yeah, I wish I did get the surgery. My bicep does f****** hurt, I’m not gonna lie.’ I was like wow, that’s interesting to kind of come out and say. So, I know he’s probably dealing with that. But it looked like if you watched his footage it doesn’t look like he’s babying it too much. It doesn’t look that bad, but for him to acknowledge that it must be somewhat kinda bad.
“Henry looks like he had a good camp. I know he had that big cut on his face so he must have forgot how to box. It’s weird. The greatest combat sports athlete of all — he even invented play fighting. He said that. He literally said that. Shadow sparring. And the funniest thing is his little ass probably believes it.” Read More: ‘American Khabib’ Bo Nickal calls out Khamzat Chimaev, Henry Cejudo says wrestling is no match for Bo Nickal
Sterling might face his Best Friend
Sterling has already hinted that his time at 135 pounds is winding down with the goal of winning the featherweight championship. For “Funkmaster,” it’s not just about the weight, though. Merab Dvalishvili, the champion’s best buddy and top training partner, is also the most deserving opponent and recognised No. 1 bantamweight. The two have repeatedly stated that they will never fight with one another. Therefore, the only options for giving Dvalishvili his merited chance are for Sterling to lose his bantamweight position or for him to lose his title.
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