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via Imago

via Imago

In a stunning turn of events at the highly anticipated UFC 292 main event, Sean O’Malley sent Aljamain Sterling thudding to the mat. After a closely contested first round, it was ‘Sugar’ O’Malley’s Sledgehammer punch that sent the reigning ‘Funk Master’ to the canvas. O’Malley wasted no time, following up with a relentless flurry of strikes that ultimately brought an end to Sterling’s bantamweight championship reign.

The victory, achieved just ten fights into his UFC career, now crowns Sean O’Malley as the new bantamweight champion, solidifying his place in the annals of UFC history. Notably, he joins an elite group as one of only two fighters from the Dana White Contender Series to ascend to the pinnacle of UFC success, the other being Jamahal Hill. The victory has propelled O’Malley into the limelight, and he has been getting accolades from various quarters on social media. One such message came from a close friend of UFC color commentator Joe Rogan.

Theo Von reacts to the Sean O’Malley win against Aljamain Sterling

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Sean O’Malley’s victory against Aljamain Sterling took the world by storm. Multiple prominent individuals took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate the new bantamweight champion. Among them was Theo Von, a prominent comedian and a friend of Joe Rogan. After the match, he wasted no time and took to X to congratulate Sean O’Malley. He tweeted “It’s SUGAR SEASON !! Congrats ”

Following his win over Sterling, Sean O’Malley swiftly challenged Marlon Vera, the sole fighter to conquer him in the UFC. Marlon Vera, who also secured a win in his match against Pedro Munhoz, graciously accepted the challenge. Their highly anticipated rematch is tentatively scheduled to take place in the month of January.

Read more: “The Exact Way It Landed…”: Sean O’Malley Lays Bare His Feelings After Being Compared to Conor McGregor Post His UFC 292 KO Win

What lies ahead for Sterling after the defeat?

Sterling’s call for an immediate rematch against O’Malley after their recent bout hasn’t gained much traction, as both O’Malley and UFC president Dana White have shown little interest in the idea. The UFC appears disinclined to favor Sterling, leaving him with a tough decision to make. He faces two clear options: remaining in the bantamweight division or moving up to featherweight, each with its own set of challenges.

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Staying at 135 pounds presents a conundrum. Marlon Vera seems headed for a title shot, and Sterling’s reluctance to fight his teammate, Merab Dvalishvili, complicates matters. However, Sterling holds a prior victory over Cory Sandhagen, who’s on his own title path.

May 4, 2023, Newark, NJ, NEWARK, NJ, United States: Newark NJ – May 4: Aljamain Sterling speaks to the press and the fans at UFC288 – Sterling vs Cejudo – press conference, PK, Pressekonferenz at Prudential Center on May 4, 2023 in Newark, NJ Newark, NJ United States – ZUMAp175 20230504_zsa_p175_037 Copyright: xLouisxGrassex

On the other hand, a move to featherweight could have been more promising if Sterling had won his last fight. Such a victory might have set up a champion-vs-champion bout with Alexander Volkanovski. However, this option is no longer feasible after his knockout loss.

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Meanwhile, things seem to be rosy on the ‘Suga’ front. After his impressive win, Netizens are now curious about what will come next for Sean”Suga “O’Malley. His exhilarating performance has gotten MMA fans and experts excited, wondering about the new opportunities and tough fights that await the new bantamweight champion.

Watch this story: “Thank You Aljo for Saying It How It Is”: Aljamain Sterling’s “Classy” Act While Talking to Joe Rogan After His UFC 292 Loss Leaves the Internet Divided