The highly anticipated clash between bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and rising star Sean O'Malley is just around the corner
The highly anticipated clash between bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and rising star Sean O’Malley is just around the corner and former UFC lightweight contender Al Iaquinta has shared his insights on the upcoming main event of UFC 292. Iaquinta believes that Sterling’s skill set and readiness make him a formidable force that will prove too much for O’Malley to handle.
Scheduled to take place at TD Garden in Boston and broadcast on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+. The Sterling vs O’Malley bout has garnered significant attention from MMA enthusiasts around the world. While Sterling retained his title against Henry Cejudo in May. His quick turnaround to face O’Malley was initially met with skepticism. However, according to Iaquinta, Sterling’s conditioning and preparation have defied doubts.
Iaquinta expressed his observations on the Anik & Florian Podcast, highlighting Sterling’s transformation in just a matter of weeks. “Aljo is looking great. He probably would have gone either way, but I think that the fact that he’s feeling really good, he’s put in the work,” Iaquinta stated. “Right after that last fight, they kind of threw him right into this one. He was unsure how he would feel at this point.”
Despite the initial uncertainty, Sterling’s dedication to his training regimen has paid off and he is entering the fight with newfound confidence and a strong physique. Iaquinta remarked, “He took those two weeks off, he came back, and now he’s in shape. He’s looking like an absolute monster, the best he’s looked in the gym, so he’s going into this one super confident.”
Sterling’s style and skill set, according to Iaquinta make him a formidable opponent for O’Malley. The matchup is being dubbed as a classic striker vs grappler confrontation with Sterling’s grappling expertise posing a significant challenge for O’Malley.
“I know for a fact that O’Malley has never fought anyone near as good as Aljo, as tricky as Aljo, as cerebral in the cage as Aljo, and as unorthodox,” Iaquinta explained. He further emphasized that O’Malley has yet to face an opponent with Sterling’s striking variety, movement, and overall versatility.
Additionally, Iaquinta pointed out that Sterling’s ground game is where he truly shines. “And then you get to his bread and butter – the grappling. God forbid this guy gets ahold of him. It’s not going to look good for O’Malley,” Iaquinta said confidently.
The Sterling vs O’Malley bout has captured the imagination of fight fans due to the intriguing clash of styles and the high stakes involved. With Sterling’s rapid transformation and determination coupled with his grappling prowess, the odds may indeed be in his favor.
For more UFC news and updates
Read: Mark Zuckerberg trains with UFC champions Adesanya and Volkanovski
Get the latest from Sportslumo.com by following us on Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube
Follow Us
