A former UFC champion advocates that Aljamain Sterling should be granted an instant rematch against Sean O'Malley.
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A former UFC champion advocates that, given Aljamain Sterling’s remarkable achievements as the UFC bantamweight titleholder, he should be granted an instant rematch against Sean O’Malley.
“Funk Master,” riding a nine-fight winning streak and aiming to secure his fourth bantamweight title defense, entered the UFC 292 showdown as the favored contender. However, the script took an unexpected twist as “Sugar” claimed the bantamweight championship, halting the champion with a second-round striking finish.
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While O’Malley has put forward a handful of potential challengers for his inaugural UFC title defense, the promotion’s ex-light heavyweight champion, Jamahal Hill, contends that a rematch with Sterling stands as the sole sensible choice.
“I think it should be Aljo,” Hill said during an interview with The Schmo. “Who’s defended the belt as many times as he has consecutively? I think he has the most consecutive bantamweight defenses of all time. He beat [three] different champions, he was what you consider a dominant champion in his reign…How can you have that and not get a title shot? Not get a rematch? If he doesn’t deserve a rematch, who does?”
Sterling had been contemplating a shift to the featherweight division before UFC 292, but his altered course has added a compelling twist to the bantamweight landscape. This situation presents a unique conundrum, particularly with his close friend and teammate, Merab Dvalishvili, patiently awaiting his maiden title opportunity in the division.
Hill secured the light heavyweight championship at UFC 283 earlier this year but made the decision to relinquish his title in July due to an Achilles injury. Following his announcement, “Sweet Dreams” promptly underwent surgery. As of now, the UFC has yet to schedule a bout to determine the next light heavyweight champion.
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