Aljamain Sterling isn’t sure he’ll be ready to take on Sean O’Malley in August.
Sterling defended his bantamweight title for the third time in the main event of UFC 288 earlier this month by defeating Henry Cejudo. After the win, O’Malley came to the octagon to set up their fight and Dana White said the promotion she hopes to make in August. However, Sterling is now uncertain whether it will be ready to go by August.
Aljamain Sterling asked if he would fight at a UFC PPV in August.# what time is it pic.twitter.com/ySvZEgkull
– Jedi Goodman © (@jedigoodman) May 15, 2023
“Listen, that would be the fastest turnaround I can imagine for a UFC champ. I can be corrected. I think Volkanowski was in the fourth, fourth, half or something of an Abu Dhabi card,” Sterling said. “I just fought one of the worst guys in the game, you know.” What I mean. In a perfect world, it wouldn’t be[August]but at the end of the day, I’m an athlete. I’m a prize fighter at the end of the day, so for me, I’m motivated by the competition, and of course the prize.”
According to Aljamain Sterling, he says he’s dealing with some minor injuries from the Henry Cejudo fight and still hasn’t returned to the gym.
However, he says that if he can start training fully next week, he thinks fighting Sean O’Malley at UFC 292 in August is more likely.
“If I can start training next week, I think it is possible. If I can start. I just have to wait until next week. I have to get x-rays. I have to get x-rays,” Sterling added. “I smashed my leg on Henry, and smashed him. I didn’t care if I kicked his elbow. I didn’t care if I kicked his knee. I smashed pretty well, so my foot is pretty swollen. The left is much worse, but it’s victory wounds so it’s all good.”
Do you think Aljamaen Sterling will fight Sean O’Malley in August?