UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley believes that he’s “guaranteed” a shot at the 135-pound champ, Aljamain Sterling. So much so that O’Malley, primarily a striker, has been grappling exclusively in anticipation of a matchup against the submission specialist, as he revealed on the Believe You Me podcast.
“I’m just training, I’m getting better. I know I need to improve in aspects of my grappling whether I fight ‘Aljo’ or Henry. They’re both very heavy grapplers, so I’m fine with sitting out. I’m literally just grappling. That’s all I’m really doing nowadays. I’m fine waiting a couple months, just keep getting better.”
Confident O’Malley “Guaranteed” Title Shot
O’Malley, fresh off the back of a victory over no.1 contender Petr Yan, acknowledged that his current position is “tricky”.
“I’m in a tricky position. I always knew I’d be in this position where you’re at the top of the division. It doesn’t really make sense to fight. I’m guaranteed a title shot. Obviously, ‘Aljo’ and Henry still have to be announced. I’m kind of in that position where do I be smart — like I’ve done my entire career — and just wait for those two dorks to fight or do I risk it and go fight someone else?
Which wouldn’t be the intelligent thing to do, but it’s like you only get so many years to fight. I don’t really feel like sitting around too much. I’m leaning towards waiting around for ‘Aljo’ and Henry to fight and just wait for that.”
It’s unlikely that O’Malley will be offered a title run straight away, as Aljamain Sterling is widely expected to defend his title against former champ Henry “Triple C” Cejudo next. Either way, O’Malley will have to face a grappling specialist. When asked for his prediction over who the bantamweight champ will be by the time he gets to the belt, he backed the “Funk Master”.
“I think ‘Aljo’ probably submits Henry. Who knows how hard Henry’s been training. These last few years he had a baby, he clearly wasn’t in good shape. Every time you saw him at the fights he looked fat and drunk so I don’t know, I think ‘Aljo’ probably chokes him.”
On the same night as O’Malley earned a decision win over former champion Petr Yan, Aljamain Sterling finished another former bantamweight champ in T.J. Dillashaw.
Do you think Sean O’Malley has what it takes to take the UFC bantamweight title? Let us know in the comments.
