UFC 292 Bantamweight Title
Aljamain Sterling vs Sean O’Malley – Aljamain Sterling is set to compete against Sean O’Malley in the upcoming UFC 292 event scheduled for Saturday, August 19, 2023. The odds for this bout favor Sterling at -258, while O’Malley holds odds of +210.
Stepping into the octagon, Aljamain Sterling, known as the “Funk Master,” brings a professional record of 23 wins and 3 losses. At 34 years old, he weighs in at 135 lbs and stands at a height of 5 feet 7 inches. Employing an orthodox fighting style, his arm span reaches 71 inches. On the other side, Sean “Sugar” O’Malley stands tall at 5 feet 11 inches, competing at the same weight class of 135 lbs. With a mixed fighting stance, O’Malley boasts a career record of 16 wins, 1 loss, and 1 no-contest. At 28 years old, his reach spans 72 inches.
Regarding striking prowess, Aljamain Sterling maintains a rate of 4.78 significant strikes landed per minute, while Sean O’Malley‘s output is higher at 7.43 significant strikes per minute. Sterling has a success rate of 52% when it comes to landing significant strikes, whereas O’Malley has a 60% accuracy in this regard. Analyzing their defensive capabilities, Sterling absorbs an average of 2.37 significant strikes per minute, while O’Malley takes in 3.54. Sterling’s defense sees him evading 58% of the significant strikes aimed at him, and O’Malley’s defense stands at stopping 62% of the strikes directed toward him.
TALE of the TAPE
| UFC 292 | Aljamain Sterling | Sean O’Malley |
| Opening Odds | -258 | +210 |
| Record | 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″ |
| Strikes Landed Per Minute | 4.78 | 7.43 |
| Striking Accuracy | 52% | 60% |
At this juncture, Aljamain Sterling can claim the title of the most accomplished bantamweight in the history of MMA. He earned his championship in 2021, in a controversial manner through disqualification; he successfully defended his title thrice in a row.
Under the moniker of ‘Funk Master,’ Sterling thwarted the challenges posed by Petr Yan, halted T.J. Dillashaw’s advance, and narrowly triumphed over Henry Cejudo earlier this year. His credentials become indisputable when you factor in his prior victories over Cory Sandhagen, Pedro Munhoz, and Renan Barao. Sterling possesses a virtually flawless skill set. His endurance is exceptional, and he boasts remarkable wrestling abilities that enable him to control his opponents and secure submissions. Additionally, while not characterized by overwhelming power, his striking is marked by explosiveness and effectiveness.
However, this upcoming fight might present its challenges. Except for a loss to Marlon Vera in 2020, possibly due to a foot injury, Sean O’Malley remained undefeated within the octagon. Operating as ‘Sugar,’ he displays competence in grappling, yet his true passion lies in his striking prowess. O’Malley wields substantial knockout power and a killer instinct, complemented by a keen understanding of range and distance. His towering height of 5’11” for a 135-pound fighter further contributes to his success. The primary uncertainty surrounding O’Malley pertains to his limited experience against top-tier opponents. While he did manage to outperform Yan in a thrilling match last year narrowly, his path led him to face lesser opponents or aging veterans like Thomas Almeida and Eddie Wineland, largely due to the UFC’s view of him as a potential star.
UFC Odds/Point Spread: Aljamain Sterling -258, Sean O’Malley +210
To emphasize further, his chin can hardly be deemed weak. He only suffered knockouts twice – once due to Yan’s illicit knee and the other attributed to Marlon Moraes. The latter instance of being knocked out witnessed ‘Funk Master’ essentially colliding head-on with the Brazilian’s knee as ‘Magic’ unleashed a kick. It was an extraordinary occurrence unlikely to be repeated.
Aljamain Sterling vs Sean O’Malley: The match will likely exhibit a certain degree of imbalance regarding the ground game. If Sterling secures an opponent’s back, the fight will favor him. While O’Malley possesses more than rudimentary grappling skills, he doesn’t occupy the same echelon as Cejudo, Barao, or Augusto Mendes, all of whom were dominated by ‘Funk Master.’ While it’s conceivable that O’Malley could catch Sterling off-guard for a swift victory, the probability of achieving this before ‘Funk Master’ seizes control seems slim. Consequently, the prediction leans towards Sterling prevailing through submission.
The Pick: Sterling via second-round submission
Aljamain Sterling vs Sean O’Malley Game Information
Location: TD Garden in Boston, MA
Date: Saturday, Aug 19, 2023
Main Card: 10:00 PM ET
Prelims: 8:00 PM ET
Watch on: ESPN, ESPN+
