Sean O’Malley is ready to fight Henry Cejudo for the interim title in March.
Cejudo’s return to the Octagon was rumored to go down this March as he was expected to challenge 135-pound champion, Aljamain Sterling. Earlier this week, Sterling announced that he is not yet fully recovered from a persistent bicep injury and will not be able to participate in the planned March fight. With Sterling on the shelf, Sean O’Malley is ready to step in against ‘Triple C’ with an interim bantamweight title on the line.
In a video uploaded to his YouTube channel, O’Malley revealed that he is more than happy to make the walk in March and welcome the former two-division champion back to the UFC.
“I texted Sean Shelby, I texted Hunter (Campbell),” said O’Malley. “I said, ‘Me and Henry in March’ because at the beginning of the week, Aljo said the chances of him and Henry fighting in March aren’t likely. It’s not happening.”
“If we do an interim belt, me versus Henry Cejudo in March, he’s (Sterling) still the champ. You know what I mean? Heal up. That would make sense if it’s torn. If it’s not, I don’t see Aljo… I respect Aljo. He’s the champ. He’s beat the best guys. He’s the number one guy in the division right now. He’s the champ. I respect that.”
Growing frustrated with the delays at the top of the division, O’Malley is chomping at the bit to get back into the Octagon but understands that as the next man up, he needs to remain patient.
“I just gotta be patient. I’m f*cking itching to go. I like to fight. I’m healthy. I don’t like sitting around. I just gotta be patient.”
Since ruling out a fight in March, Aljamain Sterling has clarified that he only needs an extra month to recover. That would push his title fight with Cejudo into April with the winner facing No. 1 contender Sean O’Malley in late summer 2023 at the earliest.
.@HenryCejudo Why you running Tubbs? I never said the fight is off! I’m handling my bicep with the UFC team and doctors. You can wait another month to get your 🍑 kicked. Because if you lose to @SugaSeanMMA, kiss your chance goodbye to face the real King.
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 12, 2023
