Whether fans like it or not, and there is a significant split in opinion, Sean O’Malley faces Aljamain Sterling for the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 292 on August 19. The man with the ever-changing hairstyle has the personality, appearance, promo skills, and ability to become the UFC’s next golden goose, just like Conor McGregor was.
Even with all that, O’Malley must fan the flames, shut down all detractors, and come out of the TD Garden in Boston with gold around his tattooed waist.
No pressure, right?
UFC 292 airs on ESPN+ PPV in the U.S. It will be O’Malley’s first time headlining a show, a major difference from when he made waves on an episode of Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017.
“Sugar” has 11 wins via knockout, using his long-range (72-inch reach) to dismantle his opponents. Often cocky, he can end a bout with ease, or prolong it and dish out plenty of damage.
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Per Bet MGM, Sterling is the -275 favorite, while O’Malley is the +210 underdog. Can the man that lands 7.43 significant strikes per minute break through the defense of Sterling, who has a 58% strike defense mark? What about the wrestling of Sterling? “Funk Master” averages 2.02 takedowns per 15 minutes. Petr Yan took O’Malley down six times, though he walked away with what is being called a controversial split decision win.
O’Malley’s rise to the top has been a unique one. The Yan win divided fans as to whether he deserves a shot at gold. It certainly caused debate among the broadcasters, various journalists, and Sterling. On a recent episode of The Weekly Scraps podcast, Sterling was asked about his most underrated opponents. “Funk Master” included his UFC 292 dance partner within the list, complimenting him while saying he’s ready to expose him.
“My most underrated opponent. Honestly, I’m stuck between two people: Pedro Munhoz and Sean O’Malley,” Sterling said via MMA News. “Obviously, I haven’t fought Sean yet, but I think a lot of people are writing him off and underestimating him. I’m not doing that. I think a lot of people did that in the Petr Yan fight, but he showed styles make fights and showed that he’s not just a clown guy with his colorful hair.”
“I’m not looking past this guy. I just want to make sure I can expose him for the fraud of a poster boy I think he is; getting all the easiest layups and handouts he possibly could have gotten on his way to a UFC title shot. I just wanna be able to get through him.”
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Sterling’s not the only one who feels this way. Marlon Vera, who beat O’Malley via TKO in 2020 and fights on the same card, was interviewed on The MMA Hour and called the majority of O’Malley’s opponents “B-Level competition.”
Controversy creates cash, as well as personalities, which is something Vera credits O’Malley for having. He does bring in a massive audience to MMA. However, Vera questions how far that can take him.
“It’s like, I get it,” Vera said. “You got talent, you got all this hype, cool, we’re in the YouTube and TikTok era. You’ve got a couple of kids that follow you everywhere. But fighting-wise, you didn’t fight anybody, and then you grabbed Jan after no-contest. Yes, you looked good in the Jan fight. People were expecting less from you. Yeah, he can still fight. But how good is he? Who has he beat? Who has he been in a fight with? That one-punch thing won’t last forever.”
Cory Sandhagen, who has faced the likes of Sterling, Yan, and Vera, also dismissed O’Malley. He recently won a fight against Rob Font to extend his win streak to three.
Former middleweight champion and U.K. legend Michael Bisping is on the Montana-born fighter’s side. He said on his YouTube channel that O’Malley’s technically a better striker than Sterling.
Bisping also focused on his “anti-wrestling” and “fantastic jiu-jitsu.” High praise from “The Count.”
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As for the man in question, O’Malley has heard all of it before. He continues to embrace it as he attempts to prove the world wrong.
“Don’t train, might as well not,” O’Malley told Sterling via Sports Illustrated. “You’re world champ. You beat everyone. Take me down, take my back, get me out of there round one. You’re good, g. Don’t waste this f—— time when you could be celebrating. You might as well chill, eat some cake.”
Regardless of how the Yan fight got scored and the stats behind it, O’Malley walked out with a win. He earned a title shot after beating the former champion. Now, he must show he’s worthy of being champion in the biggest fight of his career.
Will O’Malley rise to the occasion when it matters most?