Sean O’Malley is the top ranked UFC bantamweight contender, but former two-division titleholder Henry Cejudo is expected to face champion Aljamain Sterling next.
Cejudo announced his retirement after defending the 135-pound championship at UFC 249 with a TKO win over Dominick Cruz in May 2020. The fight promotion is rumored to be eying a March date for the matchup between the former and current champs, but the bout has not been made official.
O’Malley speculated on why the match between Cejudo and Sterling hasn’t been finalized. “Sugar” doesn’t know the reason the bout hasn’t been booked, but says money isn’t the obstacle.
“Why is this not happening? What is it,” O’Malley said on the TimboSugarShow on YouTube. “I don’t think it’s a money thing. I don’t. The UFC would say, alright, next guy. It’s not a money thing, in my opinion.”
“The UFC said, here’s what you’re going to make,” O’Malley continued. “Henry literally retired because he wasn’t getting paid enough, and now he’s broke and wants to come back. He’s coming back to make the same amount.
“Aljo’s not going to get paid more, he’s not a draw. That’s just facts. That’s not being me throwing shots. Aljo would say the same thing. He’s like, yeah, I’m not a draw. I don’t have fans. He knows. Everybody knows.”
“Is it a weight thing? Is it an injury lingering? What is it,” O’Malley questioned. “I’ve got to get to the bottom of this.”
Sean O’Malley speculates on why Henry Cejudo vs. Aljamain Sterling isn’t official: ‘It’s not a money thing’
