Aljamain Sterling spoiled Henry Cejudo‘s UFC return after defeating him via a split decision at UFC 288. Both fighters put on a clinic throughout the whole five rounds. After the fight was over, Sean O’Malley got inside the octagon and faced off against the champion to issue a call-out face-to-face. Furthermore, he even took a jibe at Henry Cejudo later.
Leading up to the fight, Henry Cejudo told the fans that he wanted to fight Sean O’Malley after defeating Aljamain Sterling. But things didn’t turn out in his favor. Following his loss, Sean ‘Suga’ took the opportunity to mock ‘Triple C’ in a backstage interview.
Sean O’Malley claims Henry Cejudo got lucky
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The rising bantamweight star talked to Megan Olivi and believed that Henry Cejudo should have won the fight. It surprised him to see that the judges thought otherwise. He said, “I thought Henry won three to two, maybe four to one [rounds]. I was actually pretty surprised they [judges] gave it to Aljo.”
But O’Malley didn’t forget what Cejudo said about him the whole time leading up to the fight at UFC 288. He claims that ‘Triple C’ was lucky that he lost because ‘Suga’ was already planning to turn his lights out. “But Henry, he just lucked out because I was gonna put his lights out for good,” said the 29-year-old fighter. He even took a swipe at Cejudo’s uncertain UFC future and said, “Did he just retire again? He got lucky.”
Despite O’Malley’s failure to fulfill his wish involving Cejudo, good news is on the horizon as he is in line for the title shot next.
‘Suga’ to fight for the title next
When Sean O’Malley stormed into the octagon and got into Aljamain Sterling’s face, it was clear that ‘Funkmaster’ will have his next title defense against the 28-year-old bantamweight star. They also traded some verbal jibes at each other, as O’Malley mentioned that Sterling’s performance didn’t impress him. He said, “You better hope you look better than tonight. You hope you look better than that. You better be ready to cut weight.”
SEAN O'MALLEY ENTERS THE OCTAGON TO CALL OUT STERLING 😦#UFC288 pic.twitter.com/6WREFjS9cc
— UFC (@ufc) May 7, 2023
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Sterling didn’t hold back. He responded with a warning to O’Malley, claiming that Dana White is not going to help him anymore. “Now Daddy Dana ain’t gonna babysit that a** no more.” He added, “Get you a** in the big boy players, baby.”
Things really got heated between the two, as Dana White and Joe Rogan had to step in and separate the two fighters. While Henry Cejudo hinted that UFC 288 could be the last time we see him inside the octagon.
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What do you think of Sean O’Malley’s comments about Henry Cejudo? Let us know your thoughts down below.
WATCH THIS STORY: Why is Henry Cejudo called ‘Triple C’?