Latest news with #AljamainSterling
The Independent
19-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Merab Dvalishvili's team to warn referee over controversial Sean O'Malley tactic
Merab Dvalishvili 's coach has said the bantamweight champion 's team will warn the referee ahead of UFC 316, as they aim to combat a controversial tactic used by Sean O'Malley's trainer. When O'Malley knocked out Aljamain Sterling to win the belt in 2023, the latter appeared to bite on a deceiving shout from 'Sugar Sean''s coach Tim Welch, who cried: 'Aljo, you've got to go!' Sterling might have believed it was his own coach shouting, but in any case, he closed range and was knocked out by O'Malley. Welch tried the same tactic when his fighter defended the gold against Dvalishvili in September, but he was unsuccessful in two senses; Welch was warned by referee Herb Dean, and Dvalishvili cruised to a decision win to become champion. At UFC 316 on 7 June, Dvalishvili looks to build upon January's successful defence against Umar Nurmagomedov, as he puts his belt on the line against O'Malley in New Jersey. And ahead of that rematch, the champion's head coach, John Wood, will make sure to speak to whichever referee is appointed. Wood told MMA Fighting on Monday (19 May): 'Of course we'll have that talk, of course it will be brought up. And I think Tim will do it again, but feel free to talk to Merab all you want; it just gave him more motivation, so I'm good. Tell Merab what you want him to do, and he'll go ahead and do it. 'It didn't work, it's not gonna work again. I've stated this before: whatever you think you've got to do to get your fighter up for the game, whatever you think you've got to do as a coach to try to take advantage, do it. As long as it's within the [rules]. I actually think that's a rule – you're not supposed to do that – but I mean, the old saying [is]: 'If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying.' 'I would never feel like I would have to talk to Sean or anybody else Merab's fighting to get an advantage, so go ahead, and if it gets you more hits or clicks on your podcast or TikTok or whatever those guys do, then great for you. He got a lot of play off that. 'I think Tim's a good coach, I like Tim personally, I don't take any offence to it. Do I think it's stupid? Absolutely, but I guess maybe they think it worked for the Aljo fight, so: 'It's something we're gonna keep on doing.' 'Go ahead. We'll talk to the referees about it, but I don't think it's going to be a problem in any way, shape or form.' Wood added: 'There's a lot of people that have had successful careers and cheated a lot. And I'm not saying that Tim's cheating; it's maybe bending the rules.' American O'Malley, 30, has not fought since losing the bantamweight belt to Dvalishvili at the Sphere in Las Vegas. Meanwhile, the latter's defence against Nurmagomedov saw the Georgian, 34, mount a stunning comeback. On two of the judges' scorecards, Dvalishvili came from two rounds down to win the final three against Nurmagomedov, while the third card also awarded the 'Machine' the first frame. With that, Dvalishvili extended his win streak to a remarkable 12 fights, dating back to 2018. When Dvalishvili and O'Malley clash again, it will be in one of two bantamweight title bouts at UFC 316; the co-main event sees Julianna Pena defend the women's 135lb belt against Kayla Harrison – a former PFL champion and Olympic gold-medalist judoka.
USA Today
17-05-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
T.J. Dillashaw admits he was 'delusionally optimistic' he'd knock out Aljamain Sterling
T.J. Dillashaw admits he was 'delusionally optimistic' he'd knock out Aljamain Sterling T.J. Dillashaw was adamant he could reclaim the UFC bantamweight title while compromised in what ended up being his final fight. Dillashaw (17-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) took a risk by going into his October 2022 title fight against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 280 injured. The risk didn't pay off as his shoulder popped out during the fight, and he was finished by Round 2 TKO. The former two-time UFC bantamweight champion ended up retiring after lingering issues with his shoulder. In hindsight, many would have regretted taking that fight injured but not Dillashaw. "I was fighting a guy that I felt like I could still beat with the arm that I had," Dillashaw said on the "JAXXON Podcast." "I felt like I could have knocked him out. Yeah, dude, (with one arm). His striking is complete garbage." Dillashaw explains why he never considered pulling out. "I know I'm going to have to have shoulder surgery, so I'm going to be out for another year-and-a-half," Dillashaw said. "I'm 36 years old. It's kind of like, this might be my last f*cking shot. Ends up, yes, it was because my shoulder was so bad. So it's like, why am I going to pass up this opportunity? "Might be my last shot ever to be a three-time world champion, get my belt back. (The odds) were f*cking awesome. I'm delusionally optimistic, but I really believe that's also what got me to the belt. I believed in myself so much that I was able to push through so much negativity and get to the top."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aljamain Sterling: Bo Nickal should consider welterweight after UFC Des Moines loss
Aljamain Sterling thinks Bo Nickal is too small for the UFC middleweight division. Nickal (7-1 MMA, 4-1 UFC) suffered his first career loss when he was stopped by Reinier de Ridder in Saturday's UFC on ESPN 67 co-main event at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. Sterling, who also comes from a wrestling background, noticed that Nickal was overpowered by De Ridder, before he was folded from a body shot in Round 2. Sterling thinks the standout wrestler needs to drop down to welterweight. "I hate that I was right but the size disparity for Nickal at 185 is very apparent," Sterling said on X. I hate that I was right but the size disparity for Nickal at 185 is very apparent. — Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 4, 2025 Nickal revealed that he added on mass for this training camp which resulted in having to cut around 37 pounds entering fight week to make the non-title middleweight limit of 186 pounds. Although Nickal had a big weight cut, Sterling believes he could make 170 pounds. I wrestled 133 then 141. Somehow, I magically was able to make 135. Bonus a middleweight but the top 15 MWs are noticeably bigger than him in the cage. Even Brundage looked bigger. — Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 4, 2025 "I wrestled 133 then 141," Sterling said in another post on X. "Somehow, I magically was able to make 135. Bonus a middleweight but the top 15 MWs are noticeably bigger than him in the cage. Even Brundage looked bigger." UFC analyst Alan Jouban agreed with Sterling, and the former UFC bantamweight champion says Nickal needs to sit down with his American Top Team and seriously contemplate the potential move down. "Anyone saying otherwise needs to really have their eyes checked," Sterling said. "I'm a huge wrestling and Nickal fan, but that conversation needs to be had and it's not an easy choice by any means." Anyone saying otherwise needs to really have their eyes checked. I'm a huge wrestling and Nickal fan, but that conversation needs to be had and it's not an easy choice by any means. — Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) May 4, 2025 This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Des Moines: Aljamain Sterling has advice for Bo Nickal after loss
USA Today
03-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Aljamain Sterling reacts to Sean O'Malley's bantamweight title rematch vs. Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316
Aljamain Sterling isn't surprised to see Sean O'Malley rematch Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316. After losing his bantamweight title to Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) by unanimous decision at UFC 306 this past September, O'Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) will get an immediate opportunity to avenge that loss when the pair run things back in the June 7 headliner at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. Sterling never expected to get the same treatment when he lost his title to O'Malley at UFC 292, but he understands why the promotion is opting to give O'Malley that opportunity. But does he think he deserves it? His response was rather sarcastic. 'Honest answer, the UFC's gonna do what's best for the business and the brand. Would I have liked an immediate rematch due to the circumstances going into the first fight? Absolutely. But I understand the business model better than most, and O'Malley is a really exciting guy that has beaten many top five contenders. So I think he rightfully deserves it after all the ranked names he has beaten.' Honest answer, the UFC's gonna do what's best for the business and the brand. Would I have liked an immediate rematch due to the circumstances going into the first fight? Absolutely. But I understand the business model better than most, and O'Malley is a really exciting guy that… — Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 2, 2025 You offer him a trilogy — Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 3, 2025 Dvalishvili has since notched his first title defense by handing Umar Nurmagomedov his first-career loss at UFC 311 in January. Meanwhile, O'Malley underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip – an injury he says he came into the fight with. For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie's event hub for UFC 316.
USA Today
26-01-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Aljamain Sterling eyes April return against Arnold Allen or Brian Ortega: 'I'm still chasing that gold'
MIAMI – Former UFC bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling isn't done hunting for gold. 'The Funk Master' has already left his mark on the UFC's 135-pound division by capturing the title and recording three defenses. After dropping the title to Sean O'Malley at UFC 292, Sterling (24-5 MMA, 16-5 UFC) moved to featherweight, picking up a big win in his divisional debut over Calvin Kattar at UFC 300. Given his name and status as a former champion, he was likely one win away if he could get past the undefeated Movsar Evloev at UFC 310. Unfortunately, the judges weren't on his side that night, initially causing him to question his fighting future. 'A lot of fans don't think I lost that fight,' Sterling told MMA Junkie. 'I watched it back a couple times now, and I still don't think I lost the fight. Obviously, the judges are the judge, so whatever they say is going to stay in the history books. I would love to run it back with him, if not, maybe fight Arnold Allen, Brian Ortega.' As a 1-1 fighter at 145 pounds, Sterling, 35, remains confident that a path to the title is still viable. For now, the talk of retirement has subsided. The fights to come must have meaning, though. Sterling wants to get his hands on the featherweight title, and is open to going down whatever path that may require. 'I want to fight up,' Sterling said. 'I don't really want to fight down, but if I have to, to prove my worth again, then it is what it is. I'm still chasing that gold. If I could get a second gold belt, man, that's another legacy thing that people can't take away from me. 'So, I'm chasing history at this point. Of course, the paychecks are good, but I'm not fighting just to be in there to say I'm fighting. I'm in there to beat the best guys. I'm in there to say I fought the best guys, and that's what it's about for the rest of my career.' Sterling currently sits at No. 9 in the UFC's featherweight rankings. Evloev holds the No. 4 spot, while the names he mentioned as potential next opponents, Ortega and Allen, hold No. 6 and 7 respectively. While he's a little further down the ladder than he would like, Sterling remains confident a win or two would put him right back in the title mix, especially considering the uncertainty of the current champion, Ilia Topuria. 'I'd say (I'm) maybe one or two fights away,' Sterling said. 'So, it just really depends on the landscape, how I look in the fight, what Topuria's going to do. If he's going to vacate, then that puts two new challengers to fight for a vacated belt. So, it really depends. 'I don't really know what's going to happen in the future, but I'm patiently waiting. Hopefully, I can make my return in April. Maybe fight again in August or September, and get ready to go.'
