Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley – Preview and Prediction
Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley will square off in what is a very highly anticipated main event at UFC 292.
Sterling has been as dominate as fighter can be which makes sense as to why he is the champion in one of the UFC’s best divisions. Meanwhile, O’Malley only has one career loss and has been a start ever since joining the UFC.
This fight also marks a battle of activity vs. inactivity as Sterling has a quick turnaround after just defending his title in a five-round war with Henry Cejudo and O’Malley hasn’t fought in 10 months.
With all that being said, let’s breakdown the matchup and predict the winner. You can also watch the preview and prediction of the UFC 292 main event in the video above.
Breakdown
Sterling has been a bad man as he’s riding a very long winning streak which dates back to 2018. In that stretch, he’s been a lot of great fighters like Cejudo, TJ Dillashaw, Petr Yan and Cory Sandhagen.
In his last fight, Sterling showed that his striking is there and it is a very awkward style for an opponent to deal with, but everybody knows its grappling that puts Sterling way above his opponent and he’ll have a big advantage there.
O’Malley is coming off a controversial win over Yan 10 months ago, but nonetheless he showed he belongs at the top of the division.
While Sterling has a big advantage in the ground game, O’Malley has a big one in the striking department has he is as skilled they come on the feet.
Tale of the Tape
Sterling is six years older than O’Malley and O’Malley is four inches taller. The surprisingly thing with the tale of the tape is that while O’Malley has a height advantage, he only has a one-inch reach advantage. That is very interesting to note.
One thing that doesn’t show on the tale of the tape is Sterling’s size for the weight class. His bantamweight days are numbered, and he admits that this may be his last fight at 135 pounds.
Oddsmakers
Sterling is the man for the oddsmakers as they have him has a two to one favorite.
DraftKings, FanDuel, Bet MGM and Unibet all like Sterling to retain his title in the main event.
Prediction
Does O’Malley keep it standing to dominate the stand up or does Sterling use his award striking to get O’Malley out of rhythm before taking him to the canvas and controlling the fight.
That’s the story here.
O’Malley can sleep anyone and if he doesn’t it here don’t be surprised, but in all honestly, Sterling has more ways to win this fight.
Sterling has gone five rounds, won tough battles, submitted opponents, knocked put opponents and has faced a lot better competition.
O’Malley will be ready for the wrestling game of Sterling to not get beat up off his back and being that they’re bantamweights, someone running out of gas doesn’t seem likely.
Sterling gets the win at UFC 292 by decision.
