Sean O’Malley appears to be contemplating Aljamain Sterling’s potential move to the featherweight division with a mix of curiosity and skepticism. O’Malley, known for his candid remarks, believes that Sterling’s decision to test the waters at 145 pounds is a logical one. However, he doesn’t hesitate to add a dash of humor and a sprinkle of doubt to the conversation.
“I like Aljo, he’s a good dude. I really never said anything bad about him,” O’Malley begins, setting a friendly tone. “I think if he goes up to ’45, it’d be super interesting. I think there’s a lot of interesting fights up there at ’45,” he remarks during his appearance on The MMA Hour.
O’Malley’s reasoning for Sterling’s potential move is rooted in the practicality of weight. He points out the numbers, stating, “I think his weight gets big enough for that. You know, I’m probably 160 [pounds] right now, I probably [won’t] get over this. He’s probably 175.” O’Malley’s straightforwardness shines through as he says, “Like, it just doesn’t make sense to go back to ’35, for his health, for his longevity.”
But then, in typical O’Malley fashion, he raises an eyebrow of doubt, adding a humorous twist to his assessment. “I think there’s certain matchups at ’45 that he could do good [with]. What about Aljo versus, like, Brian Ortega? That’s a sweet fight.” It’s clear that O’Malley enjoys stirring the pot and imagining intriguing matchups.
O’Malley’s own history in the bantamweight division, where he captured the UFC title with a second-round knockout of Sterling, adds a layer of complexity to the situation. He is expected to defend his belt against Marlon Vera in a rematch. Meanwhile, Sterling, a former champion with a remarkable record, finds his future uncertain after the loss.
Sterling’s decision to explore the featherweight division came after testing at the UFC Performance Institute. His revelations about being an “average-sized featherweight” raised eyebrows in the MMA world. Sterling’s mindset appears to be leaning toward the featherweight division, but he acknowledges his psychological need to feel like the biggest guy in the cage.
O’Malley, however, brings a humorous twist to his assessment of Sterling’s mindset. He suggests that Sterling’s potential return to bantamweight might be due to insecurity, saying, “He’ll probably go back down to ’35, just because he’s insecure and he wants to be stronger and bigger than these guys.” O’Malley playfully asserts his own superiority with a smile-inducing, “Not as good as me, but he’s good. You know what I mean?” Finally, he concedes that Sterling could thrive at featherweight but maintains his entertaining blend of praise and jest.
In the world of MMA, where personalities are as crucial as skill, Sean O’Malley adds a touch of humor and candor to the ongoing discussion about Aljamain Sterling’s potential move to the featherweight division. Whether Sterling embraces this move or decides to stay in the bantamweight class, one thing is certain – O’Malley’s unique take on the situation will continue to keep fans entertained and guessing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about MMA Banter
Why does Sean O’Malley think Aljamain Sterling should move to the featherweight division?
Sean O’Malley believes it makes sense for Aljamain Sterling to consider moving to the featherweight division due to practical reasons. He points out that Sterling’s weight naturally increases, making it healthier and more sustainable for him to compete at 145 pounds. O’Malley also highlights the potential exciting matchups in the featherweight class, like a hypothetical bout against Brian Ortega.
What are the implications of Sterling’s previous loss to O’Malley?
Sterling’s loss to O’Malley, where O’Malley captured the UFC bantamweight title, adds complexity to the situation. O’Malley is set to defend his belt in a rematch against Marlon Vera, while Sterling’s future in the bantamweight division remains uncertain after his record-breaking championship reign.
What led Sterling to consider a move to the featherweight division?
Sterling underwent testing at the UFC Performance Institute to evaluate his viability in the featherweight division. The results indicated that he could be an “average-sized featherweight,” which surprised him. Sterling’s psychological need to feel like the biggest competitor also influenced his decision to explore the featherweight division.
How does Sean O’Malley inject humor into the discussion?
Sean O’Malley, known for his candid and humorous remarks, playfully suggests that Sterling’s potential return to bantamweight could be due to insecurity. He adds light-hearted banter about his own skills compared to Sterling’s and maintains an entertaining tone throughout the conversation.
More about MMA Banter
- Aljamain Sterling Considers Featherweight Move After Testing
- Sean O’Malley Discusses Aljamain Sterling’s Potential Move to Featherweight
- Aljamain Sterling’s UFC Bantamweight Title Reign
