Boston, MA — Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling believes Sean O’Malley is going to need more than just a smart game plan to get the win in their UFC 292 main event this Saturday in Boston.
“This guy is going to need lightning to strike to beat me on Saturday night,” Sterling (23-3) said during Wednesday’s media day, speaking to outlets including Cageside Press.
O’Malley has gone on record to give Sterling props as the best bantamweight of all time, despite the personal rivalry between the two. Asked about O’Malley’s resume in turn, Sterling was a little less flattering than his opponent.
“His resume is— it’s okay,” Sterling said with an audible sigh. “He did what he was supposed to do with the talent that was put in front of him, the same thing I have done over the years. The difference is that the caliber of opponents and opposition that I faced is night and day.”
“I don’t think there’s anyone in the UFC other than Petr Yan that he’s beaten that’s still in the UFC, and you can’t say the same for my resume and the opponents that I faced over the years,” added Sterling. Sterling is correct in that assessment: names like Soukhamthath, Almeida, Wineland, and Moutino have all since moved on. “Other than that, he’s tough competitor, I know he’s done his homework, he’s going to come prepared, he’s got a great team behind him, and I just look forward to smashing him and showing him that there’s levels to this.”
Sterling has been clear about his intention to leave the division after UFC 292. He intends to head to featherweight, opening the door for friend and training partner Merab Dvalishvili to finally get his own shot at gold. With his exit from the division imminent, “The Funkmaster” was asked to give his opinion on where the 135 pound weight class stands. As well as about who Dvalishvili should fight.
“I think it’s in very good hands with Merab. If there’s a match-up, maybe [Cory] Sandhagen or Henry Cejudo,” suggested Sterling. “Those are the only two that really make sense at this current moment. We’ll see how Chito does with Pedro Munhoz, and go from there. Obviously Sandhagen beat him, but Sandhagen’s getting surgery. So it’s a very interesting position, and obviously Umar [Nurmagomedov]’s out as well getting surgery, just having his surgery I should say. So it’s Merab, and whoever he sees fit.”
Watch the full UFC 292 media day appearance by Aljamain Sterling above.
