.png)
The world of mixed martial arts was abuzz with excitement when UFC President Dana White recently announced that reigning bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling would defend his title against rising star Sean O'Malley at UFC 292 in Boston on August 19.
However, in a surprising turn of events, Sterling has expressed uncertainty about the fight, citing his physical condition as the main obstacle. With Sterling still recovering from his grueling victory over Henry Cejudo at UFC 288, fans and experts are left wondering whether this highly anticipated showdown will indeed take place.
Having successfully defended his title for the third time against Cejudo just a couple of weeks ago, Sterling admits that he is still feeling the effects of the intense five-round battle. His reluctance to accept the fight stems from concerns about his current physical state, which may hinder his ability to perform at his best against the formidable O'Malley.
“I’m still injured,” he said in a recent YouTube video he uploaded. “My leg’s banged up. My bicep still sucks. I’m supposed to get another MRI on that. I’m trying to get to this fight in August.
“We’ve talked a little bit about it, and we’re trying to see if we can make it happen. But my leg is still super sensitive to the touch."
While Dana White has declared the fight between Sterling and O'Malley to be official, the bantamweight champion himself views it as nothing more than a verbal agreement at this point. Although the announcement may have excited fans, it appears that Sterling is prioritizing his long-term health and well-being over a rushed decision.
“I don’t know, we’re gonna see. My shins are super sensitive, like even just me touching it right now. They feel mushy, almost. I could push and make a dent on my leg. It’s pretty crappy.
“I’m hoping the sensitivity is gone in a couple of days, hopefully by next week. And then we can make sure that this is gonna happen.”
Even Aljamain Sterling's striking coach, Ray Longo, expressed surprise at the UFC's decision to announce the fight before consulting the champion himself. Longo, echoing Sterling's sentiments, believes that Sean O'Malley lacks the leverage to dictate the negotiation process.
Who could possibly like that? I don’t think that’s right,” Longo told journalist Shak Mahjouri in a recent interview. “It’s a way of putting pressure on fighters…
“You heard O’Malley after the fight saying. ‘Quick as possible.’ Smart. Who the f–k is he to dictate anything?”
Aljamain Sterling's hesitation and uncertainty regarding his upcoming title defense against Sean O'Malley have cast a shadow of doubt over UFC 292. As fans and experts eagerly await further developments, one thing is clear: Aljamain Sterling is determined to protect his reign as bantamweight champion and will only step into the Octagon when he is fully prepared to deliver his best performance.
Comments