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Aljamain Sterling says UFC stacked 299 card ‘to make it feel like’ Sean O’Malley is a draw: ‘It’s actually comical’

Aljamain Sterling believes Sean O’Malley unwittingly sabotaged UFC 300. On April 13, the UFC will deliver its next big…

Aljamain Sterling believes Sean O’Malley unwittingly sabotaged UFC 300.

On April 13, the UFC will deliver its next big landmark event featuring a slew of exciting matchups, including the featherweight debut of former 135-pound champ Aljamain Sterling. However, many fight fans have been left underwhelmed by the variety of high-stakes matchups announced. The ‘Funk Master’ believes much of the blame for that can be placed on O’Malley, who is set to headline a loaded UFC 299 card a month before UFC 300.

Speaking with Ariel Helwani on The MMA Hour, Aljamain Sterling suggested that the promotion is loading up UFC 299 with some big-money matchups to make Sean O’Malley look like more of a draw than he truly is.

“It’s just kind of funny that the UFC felt the need to stack this card so much to make it feel like Sean is the draw,” Sterling said. “It’s actually comical, because I know people were kind of trying to sh*t on the [UFC] 300 [card].

“I’m like, well, a lot of those fights that people probably would’ve wanted [for UFC 300] were on 299, for whatever reason. It doesn’t take much to kind of draw conclusions — [if] you want to build somebody up, you build [them] up and you bring the other eyeballs with all these other people.”

In December, Sterling was critical of O’Malley’s drawing power after he had received his pay-per-view bonus check from their UFC 292 clash. The promotion has not yet revealed the official buyrate for the event, but reports suggest it was somewhere in the range of 300,000 to 350,000 buys.

Aljamain Sterling Says O’Malley Needs to ‘Be Real’ with himself

In addition to the main event rematch between Sean O’Malley and Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera, UFC 299 is stacked top-to-bottom with intriguing matchups, including the debut of Bellator MMA star Michael ‘Venom’ Page who faces fan favorite Kevin Holland. Fans will also see a lightweight clash between Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint-Denis and the return of Gilbert Burns who meets Aussie standout Jack Della Maddalena.

O’Malley will be seeking a bit of redemption in the evening’s main event as he runs it back with the only man to hold a win over him inside the Octagon.

“I just think at some point you’ve got to be real with yourself in your analysis when you’re approaching these fights, and I just hope Sean is doing the right things to get himself prepared for this,” Sterling added. “May the best man win. I don’t have a dog in the race. I really don’t care as long as Merab [Dvalishvili] gets the next crack in the title.”

Video – UFC star Jailton Almeida loses MMA fight in playful clash with Down Syndrome opponent

UFC heavyweight Jailton Almeida competes in a charity MMA fan with Down Syndrome. The MMA community has taken a…

UFC heavyweight Jailton Almeida competes in a charity MMA fan with Down Syndrome.

The MMA community has taken a rather toxic and hateful turn as of late, there’s has been spotlight on the sport at the moment and it not for the right reasons. After many have fought to bring the sport out of the dark ages and improve its public image, some seem steadfast on pulling it back down.

However, it’s not all doom and gloom – the sport sometimes has nice stories too.

Jailton Almeida competes in charity MMA fight

Last night, Almeida competed in. charity fight at Demo Fight 18, taking on Alvaro Borges, who has down syndrome and evidently made the mans year.

After the pair had a fun back-and-forth in the first round, but in the second round Borges would sink in an armbar after being taken down by the heavyweight. Borges would celebrate and pose for pictures with a replica belt wrapped around his waist.

Following the contest, Almeida took to Instagram to congratulate his opponent.

“Guys, unfortunately I couldn’t win. But my congratulations to champion Alvinho Borges. You deserve it so much!!! Congratulations,” Almeida wrote. (H/T MMA Mania)

Almeida is currently coming off a win over former UFC title challenger, Derrick Lewis. The fight would end a finishing streak that dated back to mid-2018, but Almeida will look to begin another one when he takes on Curtis Blaydes at UFC 299.

Looking at the rankings, there does not seem like there are many heavyweights that could deal with Almeida’s grappling and athletic ability. Currently ranked No.7, Almeida is on the brink of challenging for a UFC title and could see himself firmly in the picture with a couple more wins.

Will Jailton Almeida become UFC champion before he retires?

Dustin Poirier issued warning ahead of Benoit Saint-Denis fight at UFC 299: ‘He’s such a scary guy’

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has been urged to keep his p’s and q’s in check at UFC…

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has been urged to keep his p’s and q’s in check at UFC 299 in March, with color-commentator, Joe Rogan pointing to the recent finishing streak of surging contender and incoming foe, Benoit Saint-Denis.

Poirier, the current number three ranked lightweight challenger, has been sidelined since he featured in the main event of UFC 291 back in July of last year.

Suffering a stunning second round loss, Poirier was stopped with a devastating high-kick KO loss to fellow former interim titleholder, Justin Gaethje in the pair’s title rematch.

As for Saint-Denis, the Frenchman turned in his fifth consecutive victory and stoppage win at UFC 295 back in November at Madison Square Garden, landing a first round high-kick KO win of his own against Matt Frevola – earning the number eleven rank at the lightweight limit to boot.

Dustin Poirier warned ahead of UFC 299 return

And opening as a significant betting underdog to beat Saint-Denis at UFC 299 in March, Poirier has been warned of the incoming threat of the former by veteran UFC caller, Rogan.

“This is such a big fight,” Joe Rogan said on The Joe Rogan Experience. “Dustin Poirier and Benoit Saint-Denis. That’s the big fight. That Saint-Denis guy is a f*cking killer. He’s such a killer, that guy’s such a scary guy.”

“I’m telling you, that Saint-Denis is next level,” Rogan explained. “He’s got furnaces going in his eyes. You look into that guy’s eyes, there’s hell going on behind those eyes. He’s built for it. So, him versus Dustin, is very exciting. And Dustin better be ready to go. You better be ready to go with that guy, because he’s going to try and make a name off of him.”

Who wins at UFC 299 in March: Dustin Poirier or Benoit Saint-Denis?

Michael Page remains close betting underdog to beat Kevin Holland in Octagon debut at UFC 299 in March

Ahead of his incoming Octagon bow at UFC 299 in March, former Bellator MMA welterweight title challenger, Michael Page…

Ahead of his incoming Octagon bow at UFC 299 in March, former Bellator MMA welterweight title challenger, Michael Page remains a close betting underdog to beat divisional contender, Kevin Holland in his first promotional walk.

Page, a former undisputed Bellator MMA welterweight championship challenger, penned a multi-fight deal with the Dana White-led, UFC before the turn of the year following months of speculation linking him with a move, following a career-long stay with Bellator MMA.

Riding a win into his Octagon debut, London Shootfighters staple, Michael Page most recently landed a TKO win over Goiti Yamauchi via a series of early leg kicks back in March of last year, returning to the winner’s enclosure following a split decision loss to Logan Storley in the pair’s interim title fight clash.

Michael Page underdog to win in UFC 299 debut

And making his Octagon debut at UFC 299 in March, Page is currently riding a +114 betting underdog line to beat Riverside striker, Holland, who himself is drawing in an impressive +130 line to date.

Landing on a massive UFC 299 flagship event in Florida, MiamiHerald’s review of ‘The Sunshine State’ card sure to provide fans an in-depth look back on what promises to be on the of the biggest and most high-profile cards of the year already.

Making his return to the Octagon in March, Holland, a former top-contender at the middleweight limit, Holland’s most recent outing saw him suffer a close, split decision loss to Jack Della Maddalena last year at Noche UFC – snapping his impressive two-fight winning run at the welterweight limit.

Already making significant plans for his fighting future in the Octagon, Page has set sights on landing a pair of victories at the welterweight limit – starting at UFC 299 in March, before selling out a stadium show in the UK, in a championship chase against compatriot, Leon Edwards.

“It’s an absolutely massive fight,” Michael Page said of a fight between himself and Leon Edwards. “It makes a statement to where the U.K. artists are at this stage of MMA in the world. The U.K. guys are doing so well. You just have to look across at Tom Aspinall doing his thing as well as heavyweight. The fact that we can get two U.K. guys to headline a main event in the U.K. is unbelievable for a belt. Like I said, unheard of. Let’s make it happen.”

“… I want to be big knockout, big knockout, and let’s go for the belt,” Michael Page continued. “Hopefully, Leon’s still got the belt. I definitely believe that he can still have the belt. We can sell out a stadium, we can make so much noise together and sell out a stadium in the U.K. and just bring an untold story to the UFC.”

Renowned for some of the most devastating stoppage wins in Bellator MMA history, Michael Page has turned in memorable wins over the likes of Evangelista Santos, Shinzho Anzai, and Derek Anderson, as well as landing a close split decision win over former titleholder, Douglas Lima, avening his first professional mixed martial arts loss.

Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera Ready to Run it Back with Cory Sandhagen Should he win the bantamweight title at UFC 299

Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera already has his first challenger in mind should he leave UFC 299 with the bantamweight world…

Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera already has his first challenger in mind should he leave UFC 299 with the bantamweight world title wrapped around his waist.

Emanating from Kaseya Arena in sunny Miami, Florida on March 9, Vera will be the first man to challenge the reigning and defending 135-pound king, Sean O’Malley. The bout will serve as a rematch of their August 2020 meeting when ‘Chito’ shocked fight fans, scoring a first-round TKO against ‘Sugar’ after sending him crashing to the canvas with a well-placed leg kick.

Should Vera once again see his hand raised against O’Malley, the Ecuadorian knockout artist will immediately request to run it back with the last man to beat him inside the Octagon, Cory Sandhagen.

“I will ask for Sandhagen because he beat me,” Vera told The Schmo. “That’s the only reason I will choose that fight. The winner of Merab (Dvalishvili) and Henry (Cejudo) is also a big fight, and the UFC knows, whoever they pick I will (fight). But if I had to choose myself, I want to kick Cory’s ass. I know his dorky ass is crying about it, but it’s not my fault no one gives a f*ck about him.”

‘The Sandman’ snapped Vera’s four-fight win streak in March, earning a split decision victory. In the eyes of many, that made Sandhagen much more deserving of a title opportunity than Vera, but ‘Chito’ recognizes that the history between himself and O’Malley is what ultimately scored him a shot at UFC gold.

“The only reason this fight is happening is because I beat him,” Vera said. “That’s the only reason the fight is happening. So, I’m glad it came out like that. This is the best moment to do it, title fight, and I’m excited to become a world champion soon” (h/t MMA Junkie).

Dustin Poirier opens as surprise betting underdog ahead of Benoit Saint Denis fight at UFC 299 in March

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has opened as a quite stark betting underdog largely across the board for…

Former interim lightweight champion, Dustin Poirier has opened as a quite stark betting underdog largely across the board for his UFC 299 co-main event clash with Benoit Saint Denis in April – as the Lafayette native books his second consecutive five round clash.

Poirier, a former interim lightweight titleholder and current number three ranked divisional contender, most recently competed in the main event of UFC 291 back in July, taking on fellow former interim gold holder, Justin Gaethje in a symbolic BMF championship fight atop a Salt Lake City flagship card for the promotion.

Suffering just his second knockout loss at the lightweight limit since his 2015 return to 155 pounds, Poirier was stopped with a devastating second round high-kick from Gaethje – who minted himself as just the second-ever BMF champion, after an inaugural title win from Dustin Poirier’s teammate, Jorge Masvidal.

As for Saint Denis, the surging finisher most recently featured at UFC 295 back in November in a Madison Square Garden first for the Frenchman, landing his fifth consecutive victory with a blistering first round high-kick knockout win over Matt Frevola. The win earned Saint Denis the number twelve rank at lightweight to boot.

Dustin Poirier opens as a betting underdog ahead of UFC 299

However, despite his prestige at the lightweight limit, perennial contender, Dustin Poirier is available as a betting underdog off the bat for his fight with Benoit Saint Denis – opening at odds as high as +124 to beat the French striker, who sits as a -148 betting favorite currently.

With 2024 gearing up to be a massive year for the Dana White-led organization, fans interested in sports betting can place money on a slew of fights including Poirier’s return against Saint Denis in March. And furthermore, the following month in April, the Octagon touches down in Las Vegas for a massive UFC 300 card – which is sure to bring with it massive punters and casino action – in tandem with a June International Fight Week card in ‘Sin City’.

With a chequered history in terms of betting odds, Dustin Poirier who opened as a betting underdog and eventually closed as one to beat three-time foe, Conor McGregor in their 2021 rematch, stopped the Dubliner with a second round KO in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

And in that summer, eventually closing as a betting favorite, Poirier initially opened as high as a +120 betting underdog to beat the charismatic striker, before landing a first round doctor’s stoppage TKO win.

Last time out, Louisiana puncher, Dustin Poirier opened as a close +105 betting underdog to beat Gaethje – whom he had previously stopped with strikes in their first fight, before closing as a -125 betting favorite, en route to a hellacious second round high-kick KO loss.

Coming into his own off the back of a desperate performance in his first-ever UFC outing, Nimes native, Saint Denis dropped a one-sided unanimous decision loss to Brazilian contender, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos in his 2021 bow.

Since then, the 28-year-old has turned in consecutive victories over Niklas Stolze, Gabriel Miranda, Ismael Bonfim, Thiago Moises, and the aforementioned, Frevola – stopping each of his five opponents with either strikes or submission finishes.

Earning his high-profile clash with Dustin Poirier at UFC 299, Benoit Saint Denis takes co-main event honors for the first time in his Octagon tenure, as well as finding himself inserted into his premier five round clash to boot.

Also featured on the massive UFC 299 card in ‘The Sunshine State’ – an undisputed bantamweight title fight rematch between champion, Sean O’Malley and challenger, Marlon Vera – with the two renewing their three-year old bitter rivalry.

Fan-favorite welterweight contender and one-time title challenger, Gilbert Burns makes his return to the Octagon on that same UFC 299, as he takes on surging Australian contender, Jack Della Maddelena in a main card showing.

Furthermore, a high-profile striker makes his promotional bow on the flagship event, as former Bellator MMA welterweight title challenger, Michael ‘Venom’ Page makes his long-anticipated Octagon landing in a showdown with Riverside contender, Kevin Holland.

Amongst other current additions to the card, former bantamweight champion, Petr Yan returns in a bid to snap his three-fight skid in a pivotal clash against Song Yadong, while ex-lightweight kingpin, Rafael dos Anjos is booked to fight American Top Team force, Mateusz Gamrot in a massive showdown.

Another eye-catching clash sure to find it’s way to the main card is the return of perennial contender, Curtis Blaydes who takes on incoming Brazilian star, Jailton Almeida – who has so-far enjoyed a roughshod run through the division, most recently taking out Derrick Lewis on home soil late last year.

Hoping to springboard a victory over Saint Denis into potentially one last title run, Dustin Poirier, who snatched interim gold in a rematch with Max Holloway back in 2019 – failed in a bid to unify the titles against current champion, Islam Makhachev’s close friend and trainer, Khabib Nurmagomedov in September of that same year in a submission loss in the Middle East.

Who wins in a UFC 299 fight in March: Dustin Poirier or Benoit Saint Denis?