Tag: Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Sterling makes stunning fight offer to Demetrious Johnson ahead of UFC 292: ‘Mighty Mouse, where you at?’

Aljamain Sterling makes stunning fight offer to Demetrious Johnson ahead of UFC 292Ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 292 this weekend in Boston, Massachusetts, Aljamain Sterling has made a wholly surprising offer to welcome current ONE Championship kingpin, Demetrious Johnson to the promotion again – if he’s seeking revenge for common-foe turning training partner, Henry Cejudo. Sterling, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, is slated […]

Aljamain Sterling makes stunning fight offer to Demetrious Johnson ahead of UFC 292

Ahead of his return to the Octagon at UFC 292 this weekend in Boston, Massachusetts, Aljamain Sterling has made a wholly surprising offer to welcome current ONE Championship kingpin, Demetrious Johnson to the promotion again – if he’s seeking revenge for common-foe turning training partner, Henry Cejudo.

Sterling, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 292 this weekend at the TD Garden, taking on incoming title chaser, Sean O’Malley in a main event championship bout.

As for Johnson, the former UFC flyweight champion currently holds the ONE Championship flyweight title equivalent, managing to land a title trilogy rubber match win over Brazilian rival, Adriano Moraes back in May in a close decision victory.

And despite weighing up a potential retirement from combat sports competition, Kentucky native, Johnson, who recently booked a submission grappling outing – has maintained he is still unsure if he will continue with mixed martial arts competition.

Demetrious Johnson receives fight offer from UFC kingpin, Aljamain Sterling

However, according to Sterling, if the decorated flyweight kingpin – who has since trained alongside Cejudo following their double salvo of fights, wants to challenge him for bantamweight spoils, the door is firmly open.

“He’s (Demetrious Johnson) too little, man,” Aljamain Sterling told at a Q&A session ahead of UFC 292. “‘Mighty Mouse’ is great, but he’s too little. There’s a reason he why he lost to [Dominick Cruz], it wasn’t a skill deficiency, it’s size.”

“He’s skilled, but I think father time has passed him a little bit. If he wants this work, try to get some revenge for Henry (Cejudo), I can beat your boy, too,” Aljamain Sterling explained. “So, ‘Mighty Mouse’, where you at?” 

Johnson, who still holds an Octagon record for consecutive successful title defenses with a whopping 11 straight championship knockbacks, ended his mind-boggling UFC tenure on the wrong side of a close decision rematch loss to common-foe, Cejudo back in 2018. 

Would you like to see Aljamain Sterling fight Demetrious Johnson after UFC 292?

Aljamain Sterling echoes plans to vacate title with UFC 292 victory: ‘If I win this, for sure, I’m out of here’

Aljamain Sterling plans to vacate title after UFC 292 If I win I'm out of hereAhead of his Octagon return at UFC 292 this weekend in Boston, Massachusetts, incumbent undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling has again echoed claims that he will likely end his gold-laden tenure in the division with a title defense win over Sean O’Malley. Sterling, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 292 this […]

Aljamain Sterling plans to vacate title after UFC 292 If I win I'm out of here

Ahead of his Octagon return at UFC 292 this weekend in Boston, Massachusetts, incumbent undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling has again echoed claims that he will likely end his gold-laden tenure in the division with a title defense win over Sean O’Malley.

Sterling, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, is slated to headline UFC 292 this weekend at the TD Garden, taking on Montana native and Dana White’s Contender Series alum, O’Malley in a championship bout.

Most recently headlining UFC 288 back in May, Sterling managed to land his third consecutive successful bantamweight title defense with a close, split decision win over former two-weight gold holder, Henry Cejudo, in the latter’s return from a three-year Octagon hiatus.

Aljamain Sterling backs Merab Dvalishvili to land gold after UFC 292

Attempting to rack up a further record-setting title defense over the number two ranked O’Malley this weekend in ‘Bean Town’ – Uniondale native, Sterling, who has offered the spot he currently holds as champion, to Serra-Longo MMA teammate, Merab Dvalishvili – has claimed he is likely done at 135lbs after this weekend’s UFC 292 headliner.

“This is more than likely my last fight at 135 (pounds),” Aljamain Sterling told MMA Fighting. “There’s a 99 percent chance it’s my last. If I win this, for sure, I’m out of here.” 

“It’s Merab’s (Dvalishvili) time, man,” Aljamain Sterling continued. “And the second part of that is, I’m a little bit over cutting weight, this much weight. I walk around [at] 165, 170 (pounds). I think I could hold that frame relatively better, and I think my conditioning and everything could actually go up a little bit more, back to when I was younger, where I was cutting less. I’m 34 now, so I think I just wanna get ahead of it before it gets ahead of me.”

How do you expect Aljamain Sterling to fare at featherweight after UFC 292?

Aljamain Sterling jokes about gambling on his UFC 292 title fight: ‘I’m betting on me, baby’

SterlingUFC bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling seems to have admitted to gambling on himself for his upcoming title defense against Sean O’Malley. Heading into what will be his fourth title defense this weekend, Sterling riding high and is expecting to handle business and further cement his legacy as bantamweight champion. In fact, Sterling is so confident, […]

Sterling

UFC bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling seems to have admitted to gambling on himself for his upcoming title defense against Sean O’Malley.

Heading into what will be his fourth title defense this weekend, Sterling riding high and is expecting to handle business and further cement his legacy as bantamweight champion. In fact, Sterling is so confident, he recently claimed that he has ‘bet’ on himself.

“I double down on myself every time,” Sterling said in his latest YouTube video. “So if you’re asking me, I double down on myself every time. I bet on myself every single time. So for me – I’m not telling you what to do with your money, I know what I’m doing with my money. I’m betting on me baby, I’m betting on me.” (H/T MMA News)

Like most sports, gambling has a huge connection to MMA with betting lines and props even being read on broadcast and before fights. However, after a recent scandal, there has been a huge shift in what is allowed by the UFC.

James Krause, who made a successful transition from fighter to coach ignited a full investigation after suspicious betting activity was linked to a fighter which he trained and cornered. This led to more allegations coming to light about Krause, the full extent to which is still not fully clear.

Aljamain Sterling may have violated UFC policy

Following this, the UFC made significant changes to their conduct policy, making it so that fighters or anyone connected to them cannot place bets on any UFC event, including their own.

“We have made enhancements to our UFC Athlete Conduct Policy to more clearly express the prohibition against any UFC athlete from placing any wagers directly or through a third party on any UFC match, including placing wagers on themselves,” Riché T. McKnight, UFC executive vice president said in a statement.

While Sterling likely isn’t stupid enough to bet on himself and admit to it, the wording of his statement was not the best.

Aljamain Sterling latest YouTube video

How does Aljamain Sterling get on this weekend?

Aljamain Sterling reveals side bet with Sean O’Malley ahead of UFC 292: ‘Whoever shoots first pays $100’

Aljamain SterlingAljamain Sterling and ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley have a little side action going ahead of their highly anticipated clash at UFC 292. On Saturday night, the promotion will make its long-awaited return to Boston for a stacked event headlined by a bantamweight title tilt between reigning 135-pound king Aljamain Sterling and No. 2 ranked contender Sean […]

Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Sterling and ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley have a little side action going ahead of their highly anticipated clash at UFC 292.

On Saturday night, the promotion will make its long-awaited return to Boston for a stacked event headlined by a bantamweight title tilt between reigning 135-pound king Aljamain Sterling and No. 2 ranked contender Sean O’Malley. In the months leading up to their scrap, a lot of trash talk has been thrown around between the two, but according to Aljamain Sterling, the pair have a small side bet based on who will be first to shoot for a takedown during their main event matchup.

“Whoever shoots first pays 100 bucks,” Sterling revealed during his appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani.

Though most people would probably assume that Aljamain Sterling is more likely to shoot first, the ‘Funk Master’ believes he can pressure O’Malley into taking the first shot out of sheer panic.

“So, I do think when I pressure him, he might panic shoot. He might be the one panic-shooting because he might be worried that I’m going to take him down. Or this could be a little trickery. You never know,” Sterling said with a smile.

Who Shoots First Between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley?

Throughout his UFC career, Sean O’Malley averages less than half a takedown per every 15 minutes he spends inside the Octagon. Needless to say, seeing ‘Sugar’ shoot is a fairly rare occasion, but if Sterling manages to bring the pressure early and puts O’Malley on his back foot, we could see O’Malley take a desperate shot, thus making the ‘Funk Master’ $100 richer.

On the flip side, Aljamain Sterling averages more than two takedowns per 15 minutes, but his takedown percentage is less than stellar, only netting a 24% success rate. However, he does boast a solid 45% takedown defense percentage, meaning that if O’Malley does shoot in, he likely won’t succeed in getting Sterling to the canvas.

How do you see things playing out in Saturday night’s massive main event showdown between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley?

Aljamain Sterling claims Sean O’Malley is lucky to land UFC 292 title fight: ‘It’s personal, you’re trying to take something from me’

Aljamain Sterling questions Sean O'Malley resume ahead of UFC 292 he's beaten one guy still in the UFCAljamain Sterling has pointed to an apparent lacklustre résumé on display from incoming title challenger, Sean O’Malley ahead of their UFC 292 title grudge match this weekend – claiming only former champion, and common-foe, Petr Yan sticks out as a notable win on his win column. Sterling, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, looks to land […]

Aljamain Sterling questions Sean O'Malley resume ahead of UFC 292 he's beaten one guy still in the UFC

Aljamain Sterling has pointed to an apparent lacklustre résumé on display from incoming title challenger, Sean O’Malley ahead of their UFC 292 title grudge match this weekend – claiming only former champion, and common-foe, Petr Yan sticks out as a notable win on his win column.

Sterling, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, looks to land his fourth consecutive successful title defense this weekend at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts, taking on Montana native, the current number two ranked, O’Malley in a return to ‘Bean Town’ for the Octagon.

Last time out, back in May, Sterling managed to separate himself from prior bantamweight champion peers, landing a third consecutive successful title defense with a split decision win over former duel-weight champion, Henry Cejudo. 

Aljamain Sterling has poked glaring holes in the resume of Sean O’Malley

As for O’Malley, the polarizing Dana White’s Contender Series alum most recently earned his title fight with Sterling off the back of a close, split decision win over the aforenoted Dudinka native, Yan.

“Let’s be honest, there’s only one guy that he’s (Sean O’Malley) actually beaten by a split decision that’s still in the UFC and that’s Petr Yan,” Aljamain Sterling told TMZ. “Everybody else, they’re no longer in the UFC company. I mean, you can look at my resume and everyone’s still here. I beat a lot of good quality guys and I think that’s all got me to this point, made me battle-tested.”

“There’s always respect afterwards but in the beginning, it’s personal,” Aljamain Sterling explained. “You’re trying to take something from me and you’re trying to do something to me that’s not the nicest. “That’s usually what happens. We’ll see what type of emotions happen after the fight, we’ll see how the fight plays out.” 

Do you agree with Aljamain Sterling’s assessment of Sean O’Malley?

Aljamain Sterling branded as bantamweight goat ahead of UFC 292: ‘He could lose by head kick in 30 seconds ‘

Aljamain Sterling backed as bantamweight goat by Jon Anik at UFC 292 he can even lose by head kick in 30 seconds and he's still the greatestUndisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling has been dubbed the greatest bantamweight of all-time to ever step foot inside the Octagon by play-by-play lead, Jon Anik, who claims that regardless of result against incoming challenger, Sean O’Malley at UFC 292, the Uniondale native’s status will remain unchanged. Sterling, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, is slated to […]

Aljamain Sterling backed as bantamweight goat by Jon Anik at UFC 292 he can even lose by head kick in 30 seconds and he's still the greatest

Undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling has been dubbed the greatest bantamweight of all-time to ever step foot inside the Octagon by play-by-play lead, Jon Anik, who claims that regardless of result against incoming challenger, Sean O’Malley at UFC 292, the Uniondale native’s status will remain unchanged.

Sterling, the current undisputed bantamweight champion, is slated to make his return to the Octagon at UFC 292 next weekend in Boston, Massachusetts, headlining the TD Garden card in a title defense against the current number two ranked contender, O’Malley.

Recently separating himself as the most prolific bantamweight champion in the history of the promotion back in May, Sterling headlined UFC 288 in Newark, New Jersey, defeating the former flyweight and bantamweight kingpin, Henry Cejudo in a close, split decision win.

Jon Anik sings the praises of Aljamain Sterling ahead of his return at UFC 292

And attempting to land a further record-setting fourth consecutive title defense against Montana native, O’Malley, Sterling hasb been labelled the greatest bantamweight to ever compete in the UFC, even if he loses in spectacular fashion against O’Malley next weekend.

“He (Aljamain Sterling) could lose by head kick 30 seconds in [against Sean O’Malley at UFC 292], and he’s still the greatest UFC bantamweight champion of all time, for me,” Jon Anik told MMA Junkie. “Aljamain Sterling is criminally underappreciated.”

Prior to his split judging win over Los Angeles native, Cejudo earlier this year, Sterling managed to turn in his second successful title defense in a dominant second round ground strikes TKO win over former champion, T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 280 last October – which followed a rematch title unification and retention win against rival, Petr Yan. 

As for O’Malley, the surging bantamweight contender enters next weekend’s premiere title challenge off the back of a close, split decision win of his own over former champion and Dudinka native, Yan. 

Do you expect Aljamain Sterling to win at UFC 292 next weekend?