“Like, there’s no way!” Sean O’Malley admits to Joe Rogan on reason behind brutal weight cut to fight at 135 pounds

Sean O'Malley commented on issues while cutting weight and why he could not fight at his natural weight.

Sean O'Malley talks about weight cutting on The Joe Rogan Experience (Courtesy - Variety/Forbes)

Sean O’Malley is the No. 2 ranked bantamweight contender in the UFC. O’Malley came on the Joe Rogan Experience and gave his thoughts on the weight-cutting process in the UFC. Bantamweight at 135lbs is one of the lightest weight classes, after strawweight and flyweight. O’Malley shared about how difficult it is to make the cut.

“Suga” Sean O’Malley said that in his average weight, he would have to fight at 155 lbs (Lightweight). He said, “If I fought in my natural weight class, I’d fight at 155 lbs”. He mentions the names of Justin Gaethje and Charles Oliviera, who are the top contenders for the lightweight belt. “Like, there’s no way!” Sean said, referring to the difference in the weight class. He suggested that going up to 145lbs in Alexander Volkanovski‘s featherweight territory would still seem possible. However, a move to lightweight will never come into fruition.

O’Malley is considered one of the best strikers and defeated former champion Petr Yan in his last fight. Starting his UFC career from sub-branches like Dana White Contender Series and The Ultimate Fighter, his climb has been phenomenal. His appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience also highlighted his discipline as a fighter. He claimed to keep his weight in check at all times, with a good eating habit.

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O’Malley is set to fight the current bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292. This will be Sterling’s fourth title defense and O’malley’s first shot at gold. Sterling is a formidable opponent and O’Malley will need to stuff takedowns and knock Sterling out to win the UFC gold.

Aljamain Sterling aims for fourth title defense by defeating Sean O’Malley

Aljamain Sterling with the Bantamweight belt. — Aljamain Sterling with the bantamweight belt (Courtesy – Twitter)

With UFC 292 around the corner, the main event between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley remains the highlight of the PPV. Sterling has successfully defended against former champions Petr Yan, T.J. Dillashaw, and Henry Cejudo.

Get use to this squad because we aren’t going anywhere! The Booger Show getting folded next!
•#3xChamp #AndStill #EndedTheCringe #HIStory pic.twitter.com/kAWCB6ZMwF
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 7, 2023

Sterling has held the Bantamweight belt since Petr Yan’s controversial illegal knee strike in 2021. The rematch with Yan proved that Sterling was a worthy champion. The bouts with Dillashaw and Cejudo displayed his skills and cemented his status as the best bantamweight fighter. The buildup for his upcoming fight with O’Malley peaked after Sterling’s last fight with Cejudo. O’Malley stepped into the octagon for a face-off, which became a moment to remember.

With 16 wins and only one loss, O’Malley aims to be the next bantamweight champion. “The Funk Master” Aljamain Sterling, in the form of his life, will be defending his gold for the fourth time.