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Aljamain Sterling casts doubt on UFC 292 return for title tilt against Sean O’Malley, lists medical issues suffered

Aljamain Sterling unsure on UFC 292 title fight with Sean O'Malley lists x-rays needed Aljamain Sterling is unlikely to return by August for a highly anticipated showdown with No. 2 ranked bantamweight contender ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley. Sterling scored his third-straight title defense at UFC 288, besting former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo in the evening’s main event. Following the contest, ‘Funk Master’ found himself in a heated confrontation with O’Malley […]

Aljamain Sterling is unlikely to return by August for a highly anticipated showdown with No. 2 ranked bantamweight contender ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley.

Sterling scored his third-straight title defense at UFC 288, besting former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo in the evening’s main event. Following the contest, ‘Funk Master’ found himself in a heated confrontation with O’Malley in the middle of the Octagon. The confrontation whet fans’ appetites for what many expected to be a summertime clash between the two polarizing combat sports figures. However, Aljamain Sterling has recently tempered expectations, suggesting that a potential meeting at UFC 292 in August would be too quick of a turnaround for him to make.

During his appearance on The MMA Hour with Ariel Helwani, ‘Funk Master’ was asked about the proposed August date. Instead of giving a direct answer, Sterling awkwardly danced around the question, suggesting that August would be one of the fastest turnarounds for a UFC champion.

“This would be the fastest turnaround I would imagine for a UFC champion. I think [Alexander] Volkanovski was four, four and a half or something like that from the Abu Dhabi card,” Sterling said.

“I just fought one of the baddest dudes in the game, you know what I mean. In a perfect world, it wouldn’t [be August], but at the end of the day, I’m an athlete. I’m a prizefighter at the end of the day so for me, I’m motivated by competition and, of course, the prize.”

Aljamain Sterling asked if he will fight on the UFC PPV in August.#TheMMAHour pic.twitter.com/ySvZEgkull

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 15, 2023

Aljamain Sterling Reveals Injuries Suffered at UFC 288

When asked by Helwani if he was banged up following his 25-minute war with Henry Cejudo, Aljamain Sterling eluded to having some issues to address. “Am I banged up? You know, I got some things. The usual,” Sterling said in response. Elaborating on his comment, ‘Funk Master’ revealed that he would need to have some X-rays done, motioning to his neck and that it would take some time for his feet to heel after smashing them against Cejudo’s body for five rounds.

“I gotta get an X-ray. I gotta get a couple X-rays still. I crushed my legs on Henry, smashing him,” Sterling revealed. “I didn’t care if I was going to kick his elbow. I didn’t care if I was going to kick his kneecap. I smashed my feet up pretty good so both my feet are pretty swollen. The left one is a lot worse, but it’s victory wounds so it’s all good.”

Despite his non-committal responses, Aljamain Sterling did not completely rule out a return at UFC 292. “If I could start training next week, I think it’s possible,” he concluded.

Demetrious Johnson believes Henry Cejudo beat Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288, admits he ‘Dropped the ball’

Reigning One flyweight champion and former UFC champion, Demetrious Johnson discusses henry Cejudo’s recent unsuccessful title bid. UFC bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling earned arguably the biggest win of his career when he fended off former two-division ruler, Cejudo. However, the bout was a close one and the two combatants shared success throughout the 25-minute contest. […]

Reigning One flyweight champion and former UFC champion, Demetrious Johnson discusses henry Cejudo’s recent unsuccessful title bid.

UFC bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling earned arguably the biggest win of his career when he fended off former two-division ruler, Cejudo. However, the bout was a close one and the two combatants shared success throughout the 25-minute contest. While the decision was no robbery, some did feel that Cejudo should have gotten the nod, one of which was his former foe turned training partner, Johnson.

Demetrious Johnson weighs in on Henry Cejudo’s performance.

Talking on The MMA Hour, Johnson discussed the recent title fight, and while he still scored the fight for Cejudo after a rewatch also feels that at some points he ‘dropped the ball’.

“I do [still think Cejudo won],” Johnson said. “I can see how they gave it to Aljo. I haven’t talked to Henry about it yet. I don’t want to give away the things I think.

“I thought [Cejudo won] 3-2, but looking back, going into final round, I had it tied, two for Henry, two for Aljo, and I felt like Henry did enough. That’s the thing though, I’m judging it off my feelings, ONE Championship [rules], because there were times where — I’ll say this, Aljo does a great job, he did an amazing job. I didn’t account for his wrestling, for Aljo to get him down like that. I know Aljo is a better grappler than Henry, because he got his back, tried to get the hooks in, right?” (H/T MMAFighting)

Talking more specifically, Johnson believed that Cejudo didn’t take advantage of Sterling staying grounded after attempting takedowns.

“The thing that Aljo did good, he would shoot, Henry would defend it, then Aljo would stay there,” Johnson said.

“For me, I have nothing but love for Aljo, nothing but respect. He does a good job of utilizing that — he shoots, Henry stuffs it, he stays down there. He never got punished for that. That’s where Henry kind of dropped the ball. He should have either circled behind him or [stuffed him down], shuck him by, and whatnot. That’s my opinion.”

Demetrious Johnson on The MMA Hour

Do you agree with Demetrious Johnson’s assessment?

Sean O’Malley says Henry Cejudo ‘Lucked out’ by not having to fight him: ‘I would have loved to sleep him’

Sean O’Malley was disappointed to see Aljamain Sterling secure a split decision victory over Henry Cejudo earlier this month. The former two-division champion made his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 288, challenging reigning bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling in the evening’s main event. Despite a valiant effort, Cejudo came up short on two of […]

Sean O’Malley was disappointed to see Aljamain Sterling secure a split decision victory over Henry Cejudo earlier this month.

The former two-division champion made his long-awaited return to the Octagon at UFC 288, challenging reigning bantamweight titleholder Aljamain Sterling in the evening’s main event. Despite a valiant effort, Cejudo came up short on two of the judges’ scorecards, setting the stage for a matchup between ‘Funk Master’ and the No. 2 ranked contender, Sean O’Malley.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani, O’Malley admitted that he would prefer to have faced Henry Cejudo for the bantamweight title, but in the end, ‘Triple C’ lucked out by not having to step inside the Octagon with him.

“I think Henry lucked out,” O’Malley said on The MMA Hour. “He got lucky he lost that fight because I do believe I would have put Henry’s lights out. He stands there with his chin up. I’m sure you saw Conor [McGregor’s] tweet and stuff, that was absolutely hilarious because Henry, he thinks he’s just this—He has a good résumé, he’s really good, don’t get me wrong, but he thinks he invented play sparring. He thinks he’s just this guy that is the incredible guy, it’s just annoying. So I would have loved to sleep that dude.

“He walks out there with his chin up, he fights like he’s 6-foot-3, he’s not. He fights like he’s a tall guy and you think being as smart as he is he would have a little bit better style, but I was just fired up in there.”

The Conor McGregor tweet mentioned by Sean O’Malley featured the Irish superstar mocking Cejudo while celebrating Aljamain Sterling’s victory. In true McGregor style, the post was deleted shortly after, but not before ‘Triple C’ had an opportunity to issue a response saying McGregor “don’t got sh*t on my résumé.”

Sean O’Malley Believes Henry Cejudo Beat Aljamain Sterling at UFC 288

Though he believes Henry Cejudo did enough to win the fight, Sean O’Malley was critical of the Olympic gold medalist’s performance, specifically noting his awkward stance just as McGregor did.

“He did well, I honestly thought he had won the fight, but it’s just like, maybe ‘Captain’ [Eric Albarracin] told him to stand like that?’ O’Malley said. “I don’t know if he thought of it himself, but for someone that speaks so highly of themselves, you think he would have a little bit better style being his kind of build.”

Sean O’Malley sees a fight with Henry Cejudo as a more lucrative opportunity, but with Sterling’s win at UFC 288, he believes that could have raised the bantamweight champion’s stock enough to generate some series pay-per-view buys when the two eventually meet inside the Octagon.

“I think [Cejudo is the bigger money fight], but now that Aljo beat Henry, me vs. Aljo is still a really big fight,” O’Malley said. “I think me vs. Henry is a little bit bigger fight, but not much difference. Those guys are similar draws. I’m very curious what the pay-per-views did for this fight. I think me vs. Aljo could double it—Or I could double it, sorry.”

According to Cejudo’s coach Eric Albarracin, UFC 288 scored an estimated 700,000 pay-per-view buys.

While his next matchup will undoubtedly be against Aljamain Sterling for the 135-pound crown later this year, Sean O’Malley hopes that the door remains open for a potential showdown with Henry Cejudo.

“You can’t tell me you wouldn’t like to punch him in the face,” O’Malley said. “He’s just got that face. That big head, short arms, short legs, he’s 5-foot-4, he fights with his chin higher than—I don’t know, there’s just something about Henry I would have loved to smack him.

“Who knows, maybe somewhere down the line somewhere if he doesn’t quit again, then we can make that happen.”

Sean O’Malley predicts finish over ‘Awkward’ Aljamain Sterling in UFC title fight: ‘I’m a sniper, he will fall’

Despite lauding current division champion, Aljamain Sterling as the greatest bantamweight to have competed in the UFC, incoming title challenger, Sean O’Malley claims the awkward style utilized by the Uniondale native will be exploited by him, en route to a finish. O’Malley, the current #2 ranked bantamweight contender, is expected to face off with undisputed […]

O’Malley, the current #2 ranked bantamweight contender, is expected to face off with undisputed bantamweight champion, Sterling later this summer – with a UFC 292 title affair at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts on August 19. initially earmarked by the promotion.

And following Sterling’s record-setting third consecutive successful bantamweight title defense at UFC 288 over the course of the weekend in a decision win over Henry Cejudo, Sterling was joined by the surging, O’Malley inside the Octagon, setting up a future grudge match between the duo.

Sean O’Malley believes accumulative damage sees him defeat Aljamain Sterling

Sharing his thoughts on his stylistic clash with Serra-Longo MMA staple, Sterling, O’Malley claimed that whilst proving effective during his bantamweight title reign, the former’s awkward style will see him toppled by himself this summer.

“I am a sniper,” Sean O’Malley told The Schmo during a recent interview. “Aljo (Aljamain Sterling) walks forward, and his awkwardness is effective in MMA. You’ve got to give it to him because you watch him strike and you’re like, ‘What the hell is he doing?’ But look what he’s done. So, his awkwardness is effective, but I think it’ll be the downfall of him because I am a sniper.”

“You can’t walk forward like that with me and cross your feet with your chin in the air because I will find it, and I will find it often,” Sean O’Malley explained. “I’m not saying I’m gonna go out there and one-shot him – put his lights out in the first. I just believe that I will hit him over and over and over again to where he will fall.”

In terms of bantamweight champions in the history of the organization, O’Malley claims that with Sterling’s victory over Cejudo in ‘The Garden State’ earlier this month, he has eclipsed other competition in that regard – setting himself apart as the best of the bunch.

“I think you look at his résumé and what he’s done and it’s hard to deny that,” Sean O’Malley explained. “I think Aljamain is the greatest bantamweight of all-time, currently.”

Alexander Volkanovski reacts to Aljamain Sterling’s win at UFC 288, teases future title fight

Reigning UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski unsurprised by UFC 288 main event result. This past weekend, Aljamain Sterling successfully defended his 135lb title for the third time, fending off the highly accomplished, Henry Cejudo. With the win, Sterling has earned an undeniable victory after what has been a contentious time as champion. Sterling is now […]

Reigning UFC featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski unsurprised by UFC 288 main event result.

This past weekend, Aljamain Sterling successfully defended his 135lb title for the third time, fending off the highly accomplished, Henry Cejudo. With the win, Sterling has earned an undeniable victory after what has been a contentious time as champion.

Sterling is now set to face Sean O’Malley, which is being targeted for August, but ‘Funk Master’ has previously spoken of moving up in weight to challenge Volkanovski for his featherweight title.

Alexander Volkanovski reacts to Aljamain Sterling win

Discussing UFC 288 via his YouTube channel, Volkanoivski discussed Sterling’s win, and said that he would be open to any match up that excited the fans, hinting at a future matchup.

“We weren’t surprised that Sterling got that decision,” Volkanovski said on his YouTube channel. “Definitely no robbery or anything like that.

“I’m glad he didn’t call me out after that fight,” he continued. “Again though, any fight excites me if people want it. But you want people to have big wins. You want people to want the fight. It’s hard to say people want the fight straight after some fights.” (H/T MMAMania)

Sterling would likely open as a large betting underdog after what seeing what Volkanovski was able to accomplish when challenging Islam Makhachev for his lightweight title – not to mention his list of accomplishments at featherweight.

Still though, Sterling impressed in his last performance and is no small 135lber’ either and would enjoy a slight height advantage over Volkanovski and would only lack half an inch of reach. Before that though, the pair will have to beat their next respective challengers in the shape of Sean O’Malley and Yair Rodriguez.

Alexander Volkanovski reacts to Aljamain Sterling’s UFC 288 victory over Henry Cejudo

Who would win, Aljamain Sterling or Alexander Volkanovski?

Henry Cejudo flirts with retirement amid UFC 288 loss: ‘If I can’t make history, I’m not doing this sh*t’

Former undisputed UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion, Henry Cejudo has once again flirted with a potential second retirement from professional mixed martial arts competition, off the back of a split decision defeat against current undisputed bantamweight best, Aljamain Sterling in his Octagon return over the weekend. Cejudo, a former duel-weight champion and Olympic gold medalist […]

Cejudo, a former duel-weight champion and Olympic gold medalist in freestyle wrestling, snapped a three-year retirement from MMA over the course of the weekend, headlining UFC 288 against Uniondale native, Sterling in Newark, New Jersey.

Dropping a close, competitive split decision (48-47, 47-48, 47-48) defeat to the Serra-Longo MMA staple, Cejudo remained immediately coy on his fighting future in the sport.

“I just don’t know Joe (Rogan), I just don’t know,” Henry Cejudo said following UFC 288. “You tell me. It was close but Aljamain (Sterling) did his jo, he got the victory. It sucks man. I hate losing but it’s also been three years. I just don’t know where to take it from here, Joe. I’m a little confused right now. Whether I continue, it’s like Ricky Bobby, if I’m not first, I’m last. If I can’t beat Alja, my biggest goal was to go to 145 pounds. If I can’t get the victory over him then I just know where that puts me.”

Henry Cejudo uncertain on future following UFC 288 decision defeat

Addressing his fighting future once again on his official Twitter account, Los Angeles-born wrestler, Cejudo claimed that if he can’t “make history”, he would likely consider a second retirement from the sport.

“Congrats to @funkmastermma (Aljamain Sterling) on a competitive fight,” Henry Cejudo tweeted. “My goal was to finish Aljo, and I fell short. What’s next? If I can’t make history, then I’m not doing this sh*t. I’m addicted to gold and climbing mountains. All I can say is – stay tuned.”