Aljamain Sterling rips ‘Sorry champion’ Sean O’Malley as rivalry rekindles: ‘You’re not a real man’

Aljamain Sterling discusses Max Holloway’s strategy against Topuria: 'Fatigue could be key'

Former undisputed bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling has hit out at past foe, current division titleholder, Sean O’Malley – claiming the Montana native is cherrypicking his fights, as he struggles to land a date for a rumored clash with Merab Dvalishvili.

Sterling, a former undisputed bantamweight champion, made his featherweight divisional debut with aplomb last month at UFC 300 – turning in a dominant unanimous decision win over perennial contender, Calvin Kattar.

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Mandatory Credit Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

The outing came as Uniondale native, Sterling’s first since he dropped bantamweight spoils against O’Malley back in August of last year, courtesy of a second round KO defeat.

And fresh from a similarly one-sided decision win of his own against Marlon Vera at UFC 299 back in March, O’Malley has been heavily linked with a pairing against the surging number one contender, Dvalishvili – a close friend and training partner of Sterling.

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Mandatory Credit: Carmen Mandato

Replying to Dvalishvili’s claims that he would beat O’Malley and then his head coach, Tim Welch – the champion warned him that he would beat the Georgian’s best friend, in a sneering jibe at Sterling.

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Aljamain Sterling rips arch-rival, Sean O’Malley

Drawing a fiery response from Serra-Longo MMA staple, Sterling – the ex-champion urged O’Malley to actually fight a top contender next, before labelling a “sorry” titleholder.

Sean O'Malley doubts featherweight move for Aljamain Sterling he's insecure UFC
Mandatory Credit: Boston Globe

“You’re a sorry champion,” Aljamain Sterling posted on his official X account in response to Sean O’Malley. “Keep bragging about a handicapped fight to give you the best odds to win. You’re not a real man, my guy. ‘Don’t try to duck the number one contender again to fight number 15 this time or some other pointless lame fight.” 

As for a return to the Octagon, Sterling has been linked with a main event clash against the surging Russian grappler, Movsar Evloev in what would come as his sophomore outing at the featherweight limit.

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What are your thoughts on Aljamain Sterling’s take on Sean O’Malley?