WATCH: Aljamain Sterling in good spirits, parties on yacht after brutal KO loss to Sean O’Malley

Even after such a loss to Sean O'Malley, Aljamain Sterling stays positive and was seen partying later on.

WATCH: Aljamain Sterling in good spirits, parties on yacht after brutal KO loss to Sean O’Malley

Sean O'Malley and Aljamain Sterling (Courtesy-BVM Sports)

Aljamain Sterling‘s reign over the bantamweight division was undisputed. This was before UFC 292, when he had not yet faced Sean O’Malley. The Funkmaster had defended his title against three former champions. This fight against O’Malley would have been his fourth title defense. O’Malley knocked him out in the second round to prevent that from happening. Sterling is still the number-one contender in the division. He was seen in high spirits even after his defeat.

After this loss, Sterling was still seen partying in a yacht. A championship loss had little effect on him. As the former champion, he is sure to get a rematch sometime soon. In the party clip of Sterling, he was clearly jolly and dancing around. This may also come from the fact that his skills are still in the best condition and there are more opportunities awaiting.

YouTube video

During the bout, Sterling surely had control over the first round. It was in the second round that he got caught with a great countershot. After Sterling was on the floor, O’Malley just had to ground and pound. Many have even argued that the stoppage was early and Sterling could have made a comeback. All things aside, the Funkmaster identifies as a true champion. There was only love and respect between the two after the fight.

FS Video

Before his loss to O’Malley, Sterling had wished to move up to featherweight. It is difficult to say what’s next for the former champ. But as he has done before, he may rise up to the top again.

Related: “Could’ve took Ilia’s spot,” Alexander Volkanovski ‘feels bad’ after Aljamain Sterling misses out on huge featherweight clash opportunity after UFC 292 loss

Could Aljamain Sterling have competed at Featherweight?

Aljamain Sterling and Alexander Volkanovski
Aljamain Sterling and Alexander Volkanovski (Courtesy-MMA Junkie/Fox Sports)

Aljamain Sterling was notably the most dominant champion in the bantamweight. His loss to Sean O’Malley cannot take away his credentials. Before losing his title in UFC 292, he had declared his wish to move up to the featherweight division. No matter how good his skills were, moving up a weight class is the ultimate challenge. Sterling would be going to Alexander Volkanovski‘s territory.

Volkanovski is currently the number-one fighter in the pound-for-pound rankings. He has easily dismantled all his opponents in the division. Volkanovski is a skilled technician who adapts to his opponents’ fighting style. A matchup with the Funkmaster would have been quite interesting.

After his loss to O’Malley, Sterling’s next decision is crucial for his career. He may still decide to move up the weight or he could retain his lost belt again. Sterling is a fighter who has made significant comebacks in MMA, he could do it again.

In case you missed it!