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Sean O'Malley and Aljamain Sterling are set to battle in the main event of UFC 292 on August 19, as per a recent announcement from president Dana White. The bantamweight clash will take place just over three months after Sterling's last title fight, where he faced Henry Cejudo in the main event of UFC 288.
The 'Funk Master' has a large frame of bantamweight, and Sterling has a notoriously tough time making the 135-pound limit. O'Malley's coach believes that the quick turnaround between fights could impact Aljamain Sterling detrimentally.
Comparatively, Sean O'Malley's last fight was in October 2022, where he faced Petr Yan at UFC 280. 'Sugar' will no doubt be itching to get back in the octagon, whereas Aljamain Sterling may be less enthusiastic.
Tim Welch, the head coach of O'Malley, was recently interviewed by ESPN MMA ahead of UFC 292. Welch previewed the bantamweight clash, and said this:
"These last couple of months Sean's been able to get healthy. Let his muscles heal, let his joints heal and get prepared for this fight camp.
"Whereas [Aljamain] who's gonna have to put together back-to-back fight camps. He's probably ballooning up right now, and he's gonna have to crash-diet again [to make the weight]. That's a lot of wear-and-tear on your body. And I think it's gonna be tough for Aljo, I think he's gonna go in there a little banged up."
Watch the interview below from 8:30:
UFC 292 will see a bantamweight title clash between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O'Malley, as well as a women's strawweight title clash between Zhang Weili and Amanda Lemos.
Sterling's quick turnaround may affect his ability to take a punch as well as his level of overall fitness. Weight cutting dehydrates the brain of a fighter tremendously, and draining your body of fluids twice in such a short space of time may affect Sterling's brain health.
Sean O'Malley discusses Aljamain Sterling not wanting to fight in August
Sean O'Malley recently reacted to the news of his title fight against Aljamain Sterling during episode #108 of the BroMalley Show. 'Sugar' stated that the 'Funk Master' has made it clear that he won't be ready in August, just days prior to the UFC's announcement of UFC 292.
According to O'Malley, Aljamain Sterling wanted the fight pushed back until September. O'Malley said that regardless of his opponent's plans, 'Sugar' will be ready to fight on August 19th.
He said this:
"What happened to [Aljamain] saying September?"
'Sugar' then continued by saying:
"I'm showing up August 19th, whether [Sterling] shows up or they put someone else in there. Daddy's main eventing, headlining for the belt regardless, whether it's [Sterling] or not"
Watch the video below from 6:00:
