Aljamain Sterling Clowns Sean O’Malley’s Star-Power Looking Back on Career-Changing Mistake

UFC featherweight Aljamain Sterling reveals disappointment after Sean O'Malley's star power failed at UFC 292.

Aljamain Sterling Clowns Sean O’Malley’s Star-Power Looking Back on Career-Changing Mistake

Aljamain Sterling was disappointed after Sean O'Malley failed to garner PPV buys (via MMA Fighting)

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An MMA fighter’s marketability and ability to connect with the crowd are of paramount importance in the UFC. After all, it is the world’s largest MMA promotion, with over 578 fighters competing to prove themselves as the best. Yet, only a select few elevate themselves into superstardom, using charisma and fan connection to separate from the pack.

UFC featherweight Aljamain Sterling recently reflected on this dynamic, admitting his disappointment after overestimating Sean O’Malley’s star power during their UFC 292 clash. Despite O’Malley’s eventual TKO victory that night, Sterling suggested that the hype and energy surrounding ‘Suga’ did not fully live up to the expectations he had going into the bout.

The ‘Funkmaster’ recently attended the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast hosted by former UFC champions Henry Cejudo and Kamaru Usman. He spoke on a variety of topics, including his title run at bantamweight and how making rash decisions led to him losing the title to O’Malley.

One of the deciding factors for me finally bending the knee and saying yes to this fight to my manager, was because they thought O’Malley was going to sell a million pay-per-views. If I had known and had a crystal ball to tell me, I would have been like, ‘Yeah, go f**k yourself, I am going to sell my Jamaican Rum and go on vacation.‘

Aljamain Sterling via Pound 4 Pound podcast

The UFC 292 event did an estimated 350,000 buys, according to Cejudo. However, O’Malley disputed that the event did 570,000 buys. Sterling was shocked by the low pay-per-view score and expected the fight with O’Malley to promise him a successful payday. He believed that he took the fight with hardly any rest and should have been on vacation or selling his Jamaican Rum.

Since the loss, Sterling has moved up in weight and built an impressive resume at featherweight. He recently made the top 5 in featherweight rankings after a dominant performance against Brian Ortega. Moreover, he also set his eyes on the featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski and asked for a title shot.

O’Malley was able to defend his title once before losing it to Sterling’s teammate and now bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili. He announced that he will take a break from fighting after losing the rematch to Dvalishvili at UFC 316. However, O’Malley had recently shown interest in a rematch against the ‘Funk Master’ at featherweight.

Aljamain Sterling is interested in a fight against Sean O’Malley at featherweight

Aljamain Sterling had a dominant title run at bantamweight and defeated former champions and veterans with ease. However, his loss to O’Malley opened up the door for his teammate Merab Dvalishvili to defeat ‘Suga’ and gain championship status. Sterling has often believed that he was not ready for the UFC 292 fight and was not the “best version of himself” that night.

Aljamain Sterling Sean O' Malley
Aljamain Sterling Sean O’ Malley (via MMA Fighting)

After achieving formidable success at featherweight, the Jamaican star confidently put his name in the title shot fray. However, during the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast episode, Sterling revealed that a victory against a top 3 ranked featherweight would cement his claim. Nevertheless, Sterling also offered O’Malley a fight at 145 pounds to settle some unfinished business.

If O’Malley wants to come up to 145lbs, I would gladly entertain it. Other than that, the chapter is closed. I am happy for him, and I am glad he’s got a family. I am not salty about it, but if you wanna come up to 145, I’m right here.

Aljamain Sterling via Pound 4 Pound podcast

With Sterling reinventing himself at featherweight and O’Malley struggling to maintain his momentum after recent losses, a rematch could serve as a crossroads for both men. It would not only test whether Sterling can avenge his setback but also reveal if O’Malley still has the drawing power to command big fights on the sport’s biggest stage.

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