Aljamain Sterling’s jubilation was cut short during the octagon interview following his victory over Henry Cejudo. Two fighters got into a verbal altercation in the middle of the octagon as the Funk Master called out Sean O’Malley, which was eventually broken up by the UFC officials.
Sterling, the current bantamweight champion, and Triple C, a former two-division champion, squared off in the main event of UFC 288 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, for the prestigious gold strap. With scores of 48-47, 47-48, and 48-47, the judges awarded Sterling a split decision victory over the returning bantamweight legend.
SEAN O'MALLEY IS IN THE OCTAGON đł #UFC288 pic.twitter.com/dz1KFAV6ld
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) May 7, 2023
How did Sean O’Malley enter the octagon and engage in a verbal altercation with the reigning champion?
Funk Master Sterling kept an eye out for Sugar during the octagon interview with Joe Rogan and called him out to face him. Joe assured Aljamain that Sugar would arrive at the octagon after the interview was finished.
‘You better be prepared to fight again,’ O’Malley said to the current bantamweight champion as he went to the octagon and began exchanging sharp words.
“Soon, real soon. Get ready to cut weight real soon, baby. Youâd better look better than that, b****. You better look better than that.â Sean added.
O’Malley defeated Andre Soukhamthath to start his mixed martial arts career with the Ultimate Fighting Championship in 2018. Over the course of four years with the organization, the number 2-ranked bantamweight fighter competed in 9 bouts, winning 7.
Sean O'Malley on how he scored the #UFC288 main event pic.twitter.com/fjSC3x5WwU
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2023
The 28-year-old fighter’s most recent triumph came at UFC 280 when he beat Petr Yan. With a four-fight winning streak, it only makes sense for Sean to fight Aljamain Sterling next and get a shot at the title.
The top bantamweights’ verbal spat quickly got out of hand. Sterling started lashing out at Sugar, saying, “I’d drag your a** up and down this octagon. Get the f*** out my cage.” and officials had to separate them.
A title match between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley was alluded to by Dana White in the post-fight news conference. Funk Master will probably face Sugar on Saturday, August 19, 2023 at Boston’s TD Garden to defend his title, according to the UFC president.
Aljamain Sterling promises to fold âfrailâ Sean OâMalley âin half like a lawn chairâ https://t.co/HhAE7VTPDh pic.twitter.com/62d3Xzfo5E
— MMA Fighting (@MMAFighting) May 7, 2023
Whom do you think will win the probable title fight between Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling? Don’t forget to share your predictions with us in the comment section.
