Aljamain Sterling’s next fight: Who is next for the Funk Master after successful title defense against Henry Cejudo?

Aljamain Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo to successfully win his third title defense in the Bantamweight division. Who will he fight next?

Aljamain Sterling’s next fight: Who is next for the Funk Master after successful title defense against Henry Cejudo?

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Aljamain Sterling is the reigning UFC Bantamweight Champion. He recently defeated Henry Cejudo last week at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey at UFC 288. Now the obvious question arises, who is the ‘Funk Master’ going to face for his next fight?

Cejudo put up a good fight, but Sterling remained more active throughout the fight and displayed excellent striking. The fight went the entire distance and two of the three judges ruled the fight in favor of Aljo. Thus, Aljamain Sterling successfully secured his third title defense.

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‘Aljo’ made his UFC debut back in 2014 at UFC 170 when he fought Cody Gibson. Sterling won that fight via a unanimous decision and secured his first UFC win. Since then, he has secured 15 wins in the UFC out of a total of 23 wins. Aljamain Sterling won the championship for the first time back in 2021 when he won against Petr Yan back at UFC 259. It was a controversial win. Since then, Sterling has successfully fought three title defenses, the most recent one being against Cejudo.

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Aljamain Sterling has been a controversial champion. Many people have not been kind to him on social media. They expressed their viewpoints regarding the former versatile champion. Aljamain Sterling has had to develop a thick skin to take in the negativity associated with his circumstances. After all, he is the first fighter to win a championship via disqualification.

Related: “Grappling so bad you can’t submit clean urine” – Henry Cejudo brutally claps back at Conor McGregor after Irishman mocks veteran’s UFC 288 loss

Aljamain Sterling set to fight Sean O’Malley for next title defense

Aljamain Sterling Sean O'Malley
Aljamain Sterling faces off against Sean O’Malley (Image VIA Talksport)

After the fight, Sean O’Malley walked into the ring to challenge Aljamain Sterling for the Bantamweight title. O’Malley ranks #2 in the Bantamweight series and thus it makes sense. UFC President Dana White says the two may fight it out in August this year.

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Sean O’Malley walked into the octagon during Sterling’s octagon interview. The two exchanged some heated words, and UFC President Dana White and commentator Joe Rogan had to intervene to break both stars off. Sean O’Malley made his UFC debut back in 2018 at UFC 222. With a professional record of 16 wins and 1 loss along with 1 no-contest, Sugar Sean is an exciting fan favorite and surely a formidable opponent for Sterling. Aljamain Sterling has been on a winning streak ever since 2018.

Reportedly, O’Malley was offered the title fight against Sterling, but Sugar Sean offered it to Henry Cejudo for his UFC comeback. At the post-fight press conference, Aljamain Sterling addressed the confrontation, stating that he would easily defeat O’Malley in the first round. “I guarantee you, we step in there and I fold that man in half in one round. Same thing I did to Sandhagen,” Sterling said. Fans may get to see the much-anticipated matchup in August as part of UFC 292 in Boston, Massachusetts.

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