Aljamain Sterling questions star power of Sean O Malley, says UFC helping him

31 January 2024

Aljamain Sterling, the former UFC bantamweight champion, shares his observations on the upcoming UFC 299 card, particularly the main event rematch between Sean O'Malley and Marlon Vera. UFC 299 is scheduled for March 9 in Miami and boasts an impressive lineup, featuring Dustin Poirier, Curtis Blaydes, Gilbert Burns, Kevin Holland, Petr Yan, and more.

Sterling finds it amusing that the UFC has packed the card to elevate O'Malley's status as a draw. Having lost his championship to O'Malley at UFC 292, Sterling notes the significance of UFC 299, which marks the first undisputed bantamweight title bout without his involvement since 2021. He acknowledges the formidable lineup but suggests the UFC's strategic efforts to build O'Malley's image.

The former champion also opines on the O'Malley vs. Vera rematch, emphasizing Vera's potential to claim the title. Sterling sees Vera playing the long game, capitalizing on his durability and gas tank against O'Malley, whom he perceives as less durable and mentally tough. Sterling urges realism in analyzing the fight, highlighting moments in O'Malley's past fights where he exhibited vulnerability.

Vera previously defeated O'Malley at UFC 252 in 2020, marking O'Malley's only professional MMA loss. While acknowledging O'Malley's improvement, Sterling believes Vera's proven track record and testing in high-pressure situations could be the deciding factor in the rematch.

Sterling identifies potential pitfalls for O'Malley, including energy expenditure due to excessive footwork and weight-cutting issues. He acknowledges O'Malley's skill but emphasizes the importance of being realistic in fight analysis. Sterling concludes, expressing indifference to the outcome, as long as his teammate Merab Dvalishvili gets the next title shot.

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UFC 299 promises to be a night of high-stakes matchups, with the main event carrying the weight of O'Malley's title defence and Vera's pursuit of redemption. Sterling's insights add depth to the narrative, creating anticipation for the exciting clashes that will unfold in Miami on March 9.