Sean O’Malley is patiently awaiting his UFC title shot against Aljamain Sterling or Henry Cejudo but can see a different option playing out.
The UFC bantamweight title picture seems to be falling into place. The champion Aljamain Sterling has his next opponent right in front of him. He will be taking on former champion Henry Cejudo at some point next year although the date has not been set just yet. Sterling is looking to push the fight back until the summer while Cejudo is asking for a closer date. Sean O’Malley is the number one contender and is hoping to face the winner of this bout.
O’Malley has no issue with sitting out and waiting but wants the two men vying for the title to hurry up. He thinks they should fight before the summertime and has urged them to do so on multiple occasions. Now he has a plan in place that does not involve either man.
Sean O’Malley thinks he can see an opening for a bout with Marlon Vera for the belt
While the division waits for the fight between Sterling and Cejudo, the UFC has booked another fight between two top contenders. Marlon Vera, who is ranked fourth in the division will be taking on Cory Sandhagen, ranked fifth, in February. O’Malley thinks Vera will win this bout and perhaps set himself up for a showdown with O’Malley.
“Henry/Aljo kind of lurking around over there,” he told The Schmo on YouTube. “If I had to guess what’s taking so long, Aljo’s over there in Jamaica, you know doing his thing and Henry seems like he’s ready to go. He may be 5′ 3”, but he’s ready to go. So I’m curious when that fight plays out, I’m hoping the sooner the better for me because that means I get to fight sooner. I’m taking the winner of those two. Unless Aljo goes up to 145, Chito beats Cory, vacant belt, “Sugar” verse f–king Chito, July, International Fight Week.”
Sterling has spoken about moving up to 145 pounds in the past. His good friend and training partner Merab Dvalishvili is ranked third in the bantamweight division and Sterling would be making room for this pal to get a title shot. O’Malley is looking to play spoiler and step in and snatch the title shot out from under Dvalishvili if that should be the case.
