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Exclusive | Aljamain Sterling on whether Sean O’Malley would deserve a title shot with a win over Petr Yan: “It’d be hard to deny the guy”

The UFC bantamweight world champion Aljamain Sterling is split on whether or not ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley is deserving of a shot at the crown should he win. Both of these men will be competing at UFC 280 upcoming on October 22. Officially, O’Malley is ranked 12th in the division and will face the top-ranked Russian […]

Officially, O’Malley is ranked 12th in the division and will face the top-ranked Russian Petr Yan. While “Funk Master” will look to defend his throne against the former champion TJ Dillashaw at the same event. In an exclusive interview with James Lynch of LowKickMMA, Sterling discussed the prospect of a title shot should O’Malley defeat Yan. He said:

“It’d be hard to deny the guy, I think. That would be his first, well second real test if he passes. It would just be kind of weird if he were to get a title shot over ‘Chito’ the guy who knocked him out in the first round in like under three minutes.”

‘Funk Master’ Sterling is referencing O’Malley’s 2020 loss to “Chito” Marlon Vera, who is currently on a four-fight win streak in the division. Based on merit, Vera would deserve the title shot more. However, the undisputed UFC champion also recognizes that the UFC is a little bit of a popularity contest at times. ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley is a popular figure, certainly more than Marlon Vera. Sterling continued:

“Yes and no. I mean, if we’re going to be a popularity contest, which the UFC kind of is, then I would say it would be O’Malley.”

See the full interview with Aljamain Sterling and LowKickMMA below:

Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280

It will be a night of bantamweight action at UFC 280. The former UFC champion Petr Yan is looking to get back in the win column against the prospect ‘Sugar’ Sean O’Malley. Another former champion TJ Dillashaw will be looking to reclaim his lost throne when he meets “Funk Master” Aljamain Sterling in the UFC 280 co-main event.

Facing a talented former champion in Dillashaw, Sterling is excited about this match and says that he can likely finish him in the first round. In his exclusive interview with James Lynch of LowKickMMA, the US-born champion predicted:

“If I could get the squirmy little b*stard down in the first round I think I could choke him out in the first round. I really do think that. But I can foresee a second-round finish via ground and pound or submission.”

Exclusive | Johnny Walker targets a fight with Paul Craig at UFC 283 in Brazil

UFC light-heavyweight Johnny Walker names Paul Craig as a potential opponent for the upcoming Rio card. Johnny Walker has had an up and down UFC tenure, but following a win over tough veteran Ion Cutelaba at UFC 279, the 30-year-old now finds himself in a good position to begin to climb the rankings. When he […]

UFC light-heavyweight Johnny Walker names Paul Craig as a potential opponent for the upcoming Rio card.

Johnny Walker has had an up and down UFC tenure, but following a win over tough veteran Ion Cutelaba at UFC 279, the 30-year-old now finds himself in a good position to begin to climb the rankings.

When he first entered the UFC, Walker quickly gained hype behind him following his first three performances for the promotion which all ended in a spectacular knockout. There were even rumblings that he could be the man to finally dethrone Jon Jones.

However, after losses against the likes of Corey Anderson, Nikita Krylov and most recently Jamahal Hill, Walker’s hype has somewhat died down, but the Brazilian seems as motivated as ever, having made the move to Ireland to train John Kavanagh at SBG.

In a recent interview with LowKickMMA, Johnny Walker revealed he is hoping to take on submission specialist Paul Craig next, ideally on the upcoming Rio card.

“If I can get to UFC Rio in January, could be good to fight the guy from Scotland, Paul Craig,” Walker said to LowKickMMA.

“He’s close in ranks, he’s not big step. he’s not like top five so going to be good for keep going, moving forward. One more win, then I pick somebody top five, top three, then championship.”

Johnny Walker vs Paul Craig

Johnny Walker’s idea of facing Craig next makes good sense for a few reasons. Craig has shown vulnerability on the feet before, especially to those who carry power. Considering Walker’s resume, he will likely be confident he has all the tools to pick up a win over the ‘Bearjew.’ However, any man who takes the Scot likely is in for a rude awakening, likely resulting in them being caught in one of Craig’s signature submissions.

Paul is also known to the Brazilian crowd, having taken on one of the country’s legends in Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, who he faced off against in Sau Paulo.

The ‘Bearjew’ has already responded to Walker’s callout:

Be careful what you wish for #bearjew #hisjitsuisgonnagetyou

— Paul Craig (@PaulCraig) October 6, 2022

Who would you take, Johnny Walker or Paul Craig?

Gaethje On McGregor Bout: ‘I Don’t Want To Face PED Users’

UFC lightweight contender Justin Gaethje has spoken about a long-awaited matchup with former two-division champion Conor McGregor. McGregor, who has been on the sidelines for over a year recovering from the broken leg he suffered during his trilogy bou…

Continue Reading Gaethje On McGregor Bout: ‘I Don’t Want To Face PED Users’ at MMA News.

Maximov: White Was “Lame” For Making A Scene At Diaz Presser

Middleweight Nick Maximov has given his assessment of the canceled UFC 279 press conference, suggesting that the way in which the promotion and Dana White blew things out of proportion was “lame.” Nearly a month ago, fans witnessed one of t…

Continue Reading Maximov: White Was “Lame” For Making A Scene At Diaz Presser at MMA News.

O’Malley Explains Why Detractors Still Want Him To Beat Yan

If you say you want Petr Yan to beat Sean O’Malley up at UFC 280, you’re lying — according to “Sugar.” Later this month, O’Malley will have a massive opportunity to advance his ambitions on MMA’s biggest stage. In 2021, the Montana native recorded three consecutive knockout wins, earning himself a trio of $50,000 bonuses…

Continue Reading O’Malley Explains Why Detractors Still Want Him To Beat Yan at MMA News.

Jose Aldo says he would make the move to boxing, but rules out an MMA return

Jose Aldo has opened the door for a potential move to the boxing world, but has officially ruled out any return to the octagon. Aldo will go down as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time and a pioneer of the sport. His reign of dominance over the featherweight division lasted years, and […]

Jose Aldo has opened the door for a potential move to the boxing world, but has officially ruled out any return to the octagon.

Aldo will go down as one of the greatest MMA fighters of all time and a pioneer of the sport. His reign of dominance over the featherweight division lasted years, and his ascension to the top of the bantamweight division, many years into his career was a joy to watch. Aldo still has one fight left on his UFC contract, but he will not be fighting it out.

“I’m trying to see the best path I’ll take right now,” Jose Aldo said. “I won’t fight MMA, that’s for sure. I thank everybody calling me from other promotions, but I haven’t left the UFC, I remain under contract with them. I’ll see where I’ll fit.” (Transcribed by MMAFighting)

His last bout against Merab Dvalishvili didn’t go his way, as he defended perfectly against the takedowns, but didn’t exhort enough offense to get the decision victory. A win over Dvalishvili would have most likely earned him a title fight once again in the bantamweight division, but unfortunately, the legendary fighter came up short. Aldo recently stated in an interview that the only thing that stuck with him after all these years as an MMA fighter, was that he never got his rematch with Conor McGregor.

Jose Aldo won’t be returning to the octagon, but he has been thinking about taking his talents to the boxing ring

“Boxing is a possibility,” Jose Aldo explained. “It was always a dream I had in my life, I never hid that from anyone. It was always a dream. But let’s see. Everybody says I’m still young, that I have a few years [left]. First, for now, with the birth of my son, I want to enjoy my family, and then I’ll think of the professional side.”

Aldo had flirted with the idea of making the change to boxing a few years ago, but never did. He would be one of many MMA fighters that have tried their hand in the boxing ring, as of late.