Aljamain Sterling, who recently lost his UFC bantamweight title to Sean O’Malley, has openly criticized the way O’Malley climbed the ranks in the UFC. Despite only suffering one loss in his professional MMA career, O’Malley’s rise to popularity has raised eyebrows in the MMA community. Sterling believes that O’Malley’s path to the top was facilitated by the UFC, giving him favorable matchups and opportunities that helped elevate his status in the organization.
Sterling expressed his doubts about O’Malley’s resume, stating that the UFC played a significant role in fast-tracking his career. He questioned the legitimacy of O’Malley’s title shot after only facing one ranked opponent and winning by a split decision. Sterling believes that the UFC strategically positioned O’Malley for success by setting up fights that would showcase his talents and further his reputation in the MMA world.
Drawing parallels to controversial boxing personality Jake Paul, Sterling criticized the tactics used to propel O’Malley to stardom. He believes that O’Malley, much like Paul, has been given favorable matchups and opportunities to showcase his skills in order to enhance his image as a rising star in the UFC. Sterling highlighted the importance of fair competition and expressed his disappointment in the way O’Malley’s career has been managed by the UFC.
One aspect that particularly irked Sterling was O’Malley’s first title defense against Marlon Vera, the only fighter to have defeated him. Despite the significance of the rematch, Sterling felt that O’Malley was once again given an advantageous matchup that allowed him to secure a decisive victory. He criticized the UFC for setting up fights that favored O’Malley’s strengths and minimized the risks associated with facing tougher opponents.
Looking ahead, O’Malley is set to face Sterling’s training partner, Merab Dvalishvili, in his next UFC bout. The matchup between O’Malley and Dvalishvili has already sparked controversy within the MMA community, with Sterling voicing his concerns over the fairness of the fight. Sterling believes that O’Malley should have faced tougher opponents before getting the opportunity to defend his title against a lower-ranked fighter like Dvalishvili.
Aljamain Sterling’s critical views on Sean O’Malley’s UFC rise shed light on the complexities of fighter management and matchmaking in the world of MMA. Sterling’s disapproval of the UFC’s handling of O’Malley’s career highlights the importance of fair competition and integrity in the sport. As O’Malley continues to navigate his way through the UFC ranks, the criticisms raised by Sterling serve as a reminder of the challenges and controversies that come with climbing the ladder to success in one of the most competitive sports in the world.