BOSTON – UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling doesn’t see the hype and popularity of Sean O’Malley being all that special given the platforms.
Ahead of their title clash Saturday, Sterling (23-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) said the brakes should be pumped as a potential O’Malley (16-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) hype train pulls into TD Garden for UFC 292, though risk exists.
When Sterling was asked if he saw an “it-factor” in O’Malley, he brushed it off.
“I think if anyone had the same Snoop Dogg promoting their fight after coming off the Contender Series, I think anyone could have become a superstar like that overnight because it’s hype,” Sterling told reporters, including MMA Junkie, at a news conference. “It’s hype. Especially when you’re going out there fighting other guys that should not be in the cage with you, it’s easy to stack up the resume and get these highlights.
“I’m finishing guys in the top 15. There’s a significant difference doing that against caliber opponents vs. guys who aren’t in the show any more. There’s a reason they’re not in the show any more. I’m not saying that they can’t get back. I’m just calling the facts how it is. The ‘it-factor,’ I don’t know what it is. I don’t get it.”
Sterling chalks up O’Malley’s popularity largely to the highlight-reel knockouts that attract casual fans for their flash and flare, but which he thinks lack substance with educated context.
“He has a flashy style in the sense he gets knockouts,” Sterling said. “For the casual fans, that’s cool. But for the hardcore fans who actually tune in and watch the sport, I think they’re smart enough to understand what’s what and kind of pick and choose. Like, yeah, he’s had an easier path, and he did what he was supposed to do with the competition in front of him. They’re going to do the same thing. They’re going to highlight them. Petr Yan is going to highlight them. Cory Sandhagen is going to highlight them. Merab is going to highlight them. I’m going to highlight them. So what are we even talking about? Give me those opportunities.”
Part of Sterling’s aired grievances stemmed from the path he had to travel in order to get to the UFC title. Sterling defeated top contenders Jimmie Rivera, Pedro Munhoz, and Cory Sandhagen before he got a crack at gold. Meanwhile, O’Malley is 1-1 with one no contest against currently ranked UFC opposition.
“My third UFC fight, I fought a ranked opponent who was ranked sixth in the world,” Sterling said. “I have not gone back since. I think that speaks volumes within itself, and I think that’s what gives me confidence going into Saturday night at UFC 292. I can’t wait to go out there and smash the teacher’s pet hype machine and going on with my day. Then I can really start to promote my ‘Funk Harbor’ and I’ve got a bottle for Dana, too. It’s going to be a good time.”
So how good is O’Malley? Sterling credits his UFC 292 foe with several weapons that could present a problem. O’Malley is a lengthy and lanky bantamweight with powerful striking. Sterling indicated his biggest concern is “getting sniped.”
“I’ve dealt with difficult guys who are hard to take down, guys that get used to me. I’ve trained with the Basharat brothers, both of them. I’ve trained with Julian Erosa, really big frames, who are heavier. Some of these other guys back home from the Serra Longo fight team. I like to think I’m doing a hell of a good job in sparring sessions with these guys.
“I would imagine O’Malley won’t have the same looks that I bring. And I won’t have the same exact looks that he brings. But that’s what makes this matchup very, very interesting and intriguing. Can I get inside without getting sniped? Is he as accurate as he thinks he is? The other part is how good is his takedown defense and how much time he’s had since his last fight to improve. I’ve factored all these things in. I’m going to be safe. I’m going to be calculated and when it’s time to take risks, we’re taking a risk.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 292.
