Sean O’Malley on Aljamain Sterling: ‘I Don’t Think He’s As Injured As He Claims’

Forget the $100 side bet.

Sean O’Malley plans to leave UFC 292 as the new bantamweight champion.

O’Malley challenges Aljamain Sterling for the belt in Saturday’s main event, seeking to take the next step in his career ascent.

“I’ve been talking about this for a long time, even when I was back on the Contender Series [in 2017],” says O’Malley. “I said I was going to be a star, that I was going to be a pay-per-view star, and that I was going to be champion. Six years later, here we are.”

O’Malley also entered a side bet with Sterling for $100, with the winner being the one to land the first takedown of the fight. A former two-time NCAA DIII All American, O’Malley is eager to show people that he can grapple.

“I don’t think it’s going to be as easy for him to take me down as he thinks,” says O’Malley. “He’s underestimating my speed.”

Or perhaps, instead of the takedown, he is going to attempt a knockout blow instead. O’Malley (16-1, 1 NC) has won his last four decisions, and though the 28-year-old continues to be underestimated, he believes that narrative will change once he holds the bantamweight title.

O’Malley’s last bout took place in October, when he produced a significant upset by defeating Petr Yan by split decision.

“Going into that fight, 90 percent of the people thought I was going to lose,” says O’Malley. “I knew I was going to win. I was confident before the fight. I know what I’m capable of. I consider Petr the best striker, along with Cory [Sandhagen], in the bantamweight division. Now I’m fighting the best grappler, so I’m making quite the resume.”

O’Malley and Sandhagen share similar styles, but Sterling powered through Sandhagen in only 88 seconds when they fought three years ago.

“Cory and I have a similar style,” says O’Malley. “That fight didn’t play out long, so it’s hard to compare with that fight, but I don’t think he’s fought someone that hits like I do or has the length that I do.”

Contrary to different opinions, including Jon Anik’s, O’Malley does not believe Sterling is going to enter the cage with any sort of debilitating injury.

“To be honest, I don’t think anyone is 100 percent when they step into that Octagon,” says O’Malley. “Fight camps are brutal. So no one is 100 percent, but I don’t think he’s as injured as he claims to be. He said how injured he was before the Henry Cejudo fight and that he barely made it, so I don’t know how injured he is compared to what he claims to be.

“It’s a built-in excuse if he loses. I really don’t put too much into it. None of it changes what I have to go out there and do.”

O’Malley is ready to begin his first UFC title reign. Whether he can pry the belt away from Sterling is an entirely different issue, but O’Malley was willing to make one 292 guarantee.

“My hair will look beautiful,” says O’Malley. “You’re going to feel a buzz, so tune in.”

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.