UNLEASHED 
Sterling’s Swansong at Bantamweight
This Saturday, Aug. 19, 2023, UFC enthusiasts are in for a treat as Aljamain Sterling faces off against Sean O’Malley at TD Garden Arena in Boston for the UFC Bantamweight title. This marks Sterling’s fourth consecutive title defense and potentially his last in the 135-pound weight class. As age takes its toll, the “Funkmaster” acknowledges the increased challenge of weight cutting, hinting that he might be looking at a future in the Featherweight division.
Reasons Behind Sterling’s Big Decision
While the thought of moving up a division is tantalizing, especially with the allure of Alexander Volkanovski’s 145-pound title, it isn’t just about the challenge for Sterling. A heartwarming gesture also plays into his decision. Longtime friend and top-ranked teammate, Merab Dvalishvili, stands next in line for the 135-pound title. Sterling and Dvalishvili have always maintained that they would never face each other in the Octagon. The champion emphasized, “It’s Merab’s time,” while also citing the struggles of weight cut at his age of 34 as a pivotal factor for his impending divisional shift.
UFC 292: More Than Just Sterling vs. O’Malley
As much as the spotlight will be on Sterling’s potential final fight in the Bantamweight division, UFC 292 promises to be a blockbuster event. In addition to the Sterling-O’Malley faceoff, fans can also look forward to Zhang Weili and Amanda Lemos battling it out for the women’s Strawweight championship. With the unpredictability that comes with MMA, one cannot overlook the possibilities of a draw, a No Contest, or even a loss which might alter Sterling’s plans. And O’Malley, known for his prowess, is all set to disrupt Sterling’s plans.
The stage is set, the stakes are high, and the fight world will surely be tuning in to see how this chapter in UFC’s rich history unfolds.
