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The high-stakes UFC bantamweight title clash between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley is right around the corner. Both stars have successfully made weight and are now just waiting for the starting bell. This clash between the bantamweight behemoths is, in many respects, a stylistic nightmare for both. O’Malley’s high-precision striking poses significant problems for the champion. However, the ‘human backpack’ can make the most of the simplest of mistakes and put O’Malley on his back. He attempted to demonstrate the same through an open workout but that plan seems to have backfired.

The Jamaican-American stated in a recent tweet. “Sean will get a good striking test. But he makes one mistake and he’ll be on his back,” and predicted a second-round ground-and-pound TKO victory. He further showcased some of his sublime wrestling skills in a training video but surprisingly, the fans had a few curious takes on the subject.

Aljamain Sterling teases Sean O’Malley’s UFC 292 fate in training video

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In a video that has emerged on social media, Aljamain Sterling could be seen practicing his wrestling and takedowns with his teammates. This included his good friend and fellow bantamweight Merab Dvalishvili. A prolific wrestler under the tutelage of the Serra-Longo team, Sterling and Co. displayed some flashy wrestling moves meant to get the fans on their feet.

O’Malley and Sterling have been chirping at each other for a long time now. Their back-and-forth reached a whole new level after their heated face-off at UFC 288. The pair have been consistently taking shots at each other on Twitter and in fact, ‘Aljo’ has promised to make the UFC ‘Suga-free’ come Saturday.

His open workout was meant to give the fans a glimpse of what he would do to O’Malley in their much-anticipated showdown at the TD Garden in Boston. However, it also ended up earning him a comparison with the infamous Hollywood action star, Steven Seagal.

 

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Sterling could be seen picking up his opponents and tossing them on their heads, in what seems like a drill, to a rapt and applauding audience. Sterling’s open workout shenanigans were meant to entertain the fans. Considering their reactions to the clip, he achieved just that, but it may not have been how he envisioned it.

Fans react to ‘Funk Master’ tossing opponents in training

Fans were mixed in the comments section, with a lot of comments supporting O’Malley, while others were unimpressed with the drills. Here is a sample of what they had to say.

One fan felt it would be shocking if ‘Sugar’ won: “If sean wins by submission the earth will explode”. Another  unimpressed fan took this as confirmation O’Malley will win: “Bet the house on Sean via flying triangle in the first 30 seconds”

One user felt this resembled one of Steven Segal‘s over-the-top martial arts movies: “Looks like a steven seagal movie” Another commented on the lack of effort from his training partners: “Bro let himself get picked up though, no resistance”

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One fan thought the mockery would stop once he defeated O’Malley: “Everyone clowning until he bodies your precious O’Malley” Another individual pointed out it was just a drill: “It’s a drill, but yeah.”

One user was not thrilled at the prospect of a wrestling-heavy bout between the two: “Great. Another boring wrestling match otw” Another felt the video was cheesy:“Aljo is the Disney Actor and Sean’s the Disney Logo”

A lot depends upon Saturday’s bout between Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley. ‘Sugar’ is a potential superstar with his exciting striking-first style and marketability. A win against Sterling might put him over the top. On the other hand, Sterling has the chance to cement himself as one of the greatest bantamweights in UFC history before he leaves the division.

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Who do you think will come out on top? Let us know in the comments below.

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