- Aljamain Sterling beat Mike Grundy in a grappling match at Polaris 25
- “Funk Master” hit out at Sean O’Malley and called for a rematch
Aljamain Sterling returned to action at the recent Polaris 25 grappling event which was aired live on UFC Fight Pass from inside Ebbw Vale Sports Centre in Wales. The former UFC bantamweight champ beat Mike Grundy and decided to challenge reigning 135-pound king Sean O’Malley to a rematch.
A win and a callout
Sterling showcased his wrestling skills at Polaris 25 as he dominated Grundy en route to a unanimous decision victory. The two squared off for the full 10-minute round but it was “Funk Master” who gave Grundy the business.
Grundy, a former UFC fighter, is known for his impressive innate freestyle wrestling skills but Sterling was able to handle him for the better part of the match.
Aljamain Sterling wins by unanimous decision at Polaris 25🎒
— 🌴ᴛʜᴇᴀʀᴛᴏꜰᴡᴀʀ🌴 (@TheArtOfWar6) September 30, 2023
After being declared the winner, Sterling did a short post-match interview in which he let O’Malley know that he would be reclaiming his throne at all costs.
Aljo has a message for the bantamweight champ 🗣️ #POLARIS25 pic.twitter.com/fUyJ9oY3rh
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) September 30, 2023
“I got a message for Mr. Sugar T*ts,” Sterling said. “Give me my rematch or fight Merab [Dvalishvili]. It’s that simple. Stop ducking the top contenders and be a man. Be a world champion and fight the best of the best. That’s what I did. Now you need to turn around and do the same exact sh*t.”
The O’Malley sweepstakes
As it stands, O’Malley and the UFC have yet to agree on a challenger. However, Sterling has already expressed his desire to run it back as soon as possible. O’Malley is still weighing his options but No. 6 bantamweight contender Marlon “Chito” Vera insists he and the UFC have already discussed a rematch with “Sugar” which would also be the champ’s first title defense.
On the other hand, Sterling refused to buy in on the O’Malley vs. Vera title fight as he believes it doesn’t make any sense. For “Funk Master,” it would be more fitting to book his friend and teammate Merab Dvalishvili against O’Malley if he’s not getting the rematch.
