Aljamain Sterling claims there’s “99.9 percent chance” he leaves bantamweight division after Sean O’Malley fight
Aljamain Sterling may be done with the bantamweight division. The ‘Funk Master’ recently claimed that his next fight would probably be his last in the 135 pounds division.
Sterling is widely considered to be the most dominant bantamweight champion in UFC history. Boasting one of the most incredible resumes in divisional history, Sterling will become the first bantamweight champion to successfully defend his 135-pound title for the fourth time if he beats Sean O’Malley.
The UFC bantamweight champion is set to defend his title against ‘Suga’ at UFC 292 this weekend. The exciting grappler vs. striker matchup will go down at the TD Garden in Boston. While it’s no secret that Aljamain Sterling has wanted to move up to featherweight for a long time now, it seems his fight could be his final outing at bantamweight.
In a recent interview with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Aljamain Sterling reiterated his wish to fight at featherweight. He said:
“This is most likely my last fight at 135… There’s a 99% chance this is my last fight at 135… Well, that’s if I win for sure. I win this for sure, Ariel, I’m out of here… It’s Merab’s [Dvalishvili] time.”
Sterling further stated he doesn’t want to cut as much weight anymore and said:
“I’m a little bit over-cutting weight. This much weight.”
Aljamain Sterling vows to make Sean O’Malley pay for “Dana White privilege” at UFC 292
Aljamain Sterling is looking to dominate Sean O’Malley through and through during their bout at UFC 292.
Sterling and O’Malley have no love for each other and have exchanged verbal insults on social media for a long time. After Sterling’s last title defense against Henry Cejudo at UFC 288, ‘Suga’ also barged into the octagon for a tense face-off against ‘Funk Master.’ Given their heated rivalry and contrasting fighting styles, many expect fireworks when they share the octagon.
In a recent Q&A session, Aljamain Sterling weighed in on his upcoming title defense. Promising to teach O’Malley a lesson for abusing his relationship with UFC president Dana White, Sterling said:
“I want to smash this guy’s face. I want to smash the ugly mole rat, the naked mole rat that he is. When I take this man down, that naked mole rat is getting smashed. Smashed. I want him to pay for everything that he said, all the trash talk, everything, all his Dana White privilege. I didn’t have none of that, and I can’t wait to take it out on him.”
He continued:
“My prediction, second-round TKO. But if he gives me his neck… I’m going to strangle his ass.”
Watch the full video below:
