Following a triumphant split-decision victory against former champion Petr Yan, UFC bantamweight Sean O’Malley’s next fight has been booked and this time there’ll be a title on the line.
Hailing from Montana, Sean O’Malley has quickly become a favorite among UFC fans. Known for his flashy style, both in and out of the ring, and his devastating knockout power, O’Malley (16-1) has made a remarkable ascent through the bantamweight ranks.
His meteoric rise saw a breakthrough in 2022 with a notable win against former champion Petr Yan. The bout was a back-and-forth slugfest with both fighters landing heavy shots.
O’Malley’s devastating knee strike which left Yan with a sizable gash on his face, paired with his lightning-quick strikes that seemed to wobble Yan on several occasions, played a crucial role in securing a split decision victory.
This win affirmed O’Malley’s status as a top-tier competitor in the bantamweight division and secured him the next shot at Aljamain Sterling and the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Sean O’Malley’s Next Fight
Sean O’Malley’s next fight is against current UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.
Sterling (23-3), known for his exceptional grappling skills, will pose a unique challenge for O’Malley. The bout will headline UFC 292, scheduled to take place on August 19 at the TD Garden, Boston. This fight carries additional significance as it marks the UFC’s first return to Boston since October 2019.
Sterling has agreed to the matchup at UFC 292 but has spoken of managing injuries sustained from his recent fight with Henry Cejudo.
This has led to the two fighters firing up the anticipation with a series of confrontational exchanges, where O’Malley has questioned Sterling’s commitment, and Sterling has humorously dismissed O’Malley’s critiques.
O’Malley commented, “He [Sterling] did just fight, but look at [Israel Adesanya], the motherf***** fought four times in 12 months… Take two months off, heal up, and then train hard for two months.”
“It ain’t f****** science, or is it? It’s called discipline.”
Sterling responded to O’Malley’s critiques with a laugh, sharing a video on Twitter where he stated, “First off, it’s not science you freaking numb-nut moron. It’s called math. Mathematics.”
Sterling stood his ground, affirming his commitment to the fight, declaring, “I’m going to show up Aug. 19, not because of you, not because of the fans, I’m showing up because Dana [White] is cutting the check for Aug. 19.”
Despite O’Malley’s assertion about discipline, Sterling reminded the MMA community of his own dedication, highlighting that he defended his title three times in 13 months, a stark contrast to O’Malley’s single fight within the same period.
The war of words between these two fighters has certainly added fuel to the anticipation for UFC 292 and we get the sense it’s only just beginning.
Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley
Here’s a look at the tale of the tape for Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley:
| MATCHUP | ALJAMAIN STERLING | SEAN O’MALLEY |
|---|---|---|
| Wins/Losses/Draws | 23-3-0 | 16-1-0 (1 NC) |
| Average Fight Time | 13:36 | 9:01 |
| Height | 5′ 7″ | 5′ 11″ |
| Weight | 135 lbs. | 135 lbs. |
| Reach | 71″ | 72″ |
| Stance | Orthodox | Switch |
| DOB | Jul 31, 1989 | Oct 24, 1994 |
O’Malley enjoys a slight height and reach advantage over Sterling. However, Sterling’s seasoned grappling abilities mean that he’ll be looking to control this fight on the mat, rather than standing up.
Betting Odds
As of now, the betting odds for this bout have not been released yet. We’ll update our UFC Odds page when odds are made available.
As we approach the event, fans can also check out our UFC Predictions page for expert picks and betting tips for this fight and all other UFC fights.
Alternatively, subscribe to our free weekly newsletter below and we’ll send you exclusive fight picks and breakdowns.
Sign up for The Body Lock’s free newsletter
How to Watch O’Malley’s Next Fight
UFC 292, which includes this eagerly anticipated bantamweight title clash, will be a pay-per-view event on ESPN+. Interested fans can subscribe to ESPN+ here.
