Daniel Cormier Discusses Aljamain Sterling’s Torn Bicep: ‘Don’t Do An Interim’

Daniel Cormier Believes Henry Cejudo and Sean O'Malley Should Fight For The Number One Contender Spot if Aljamain Sterling Needs Surgery.

Daniel Cormier
Daniel Cormier (Left) and Aljamain Sterling (Right)(Images via Instagram @DC_MMA and @FunkMasterMMA)

Daniel Cormier believes the UFC bantamweight division doesn’t need an interim title. 

Aljamain Sterling announced earlier this week that he suffered a torn bicep months ago, which he has fought through. When discussing a potential matchup against Henry Cejudo in March, the reigning UFC bantamweight champion said the chances are low. 

As a result, Sean O’Malley has mentioned a hypothetical matchup against ‘Triple C’ for the interim title. O’Malley emerged as the number one bantamweight contender after beating Petr Yan at UFC 280. He now plans to use his star power to secure a title shot in his next fight. 

During a video on his YouTube channel, Cormier had this to say about O’Malley vs. Cejudo fighting for an interim championship:

“O’Malley said he would fight Cejudo if Aljo’s unavailable. I’m in on that one. Don’t do an interim, though. Aljamain Sterling is the champion. He deserves time because he’s been active and he’s fought everyone. Whoever they put in front of him, he fights…”

The UFC usually implements an interim title when the reigning champion will be out indefinitely. Although Sterling has requested an extended layoff, crowning an interim champion might not be necessary. ‘Funk Master’ defended the 135-pound championship twice in 2022 and plans to have similar success in the new calendar year. 

Daniel Cormier thinks Aljamain Sterling should be 100% healthy before fighting Henry Cejudo

Aljamain Sterling fought TJ Dillashaw with his torn bicep, but Henry Cejudo provides different problems than other bantamweights. Cejudo’s wrestling skills could be an issue for Sterling if he’s not 100% healthy, and Daniel Cormier agrees. The former two-division UFC champion had this to say during the same YouTube video:

“It sounds like the champ is taking a stand with the torn bicep, so I don’t think we will see him in the octagon anytime soon… You can’t doubt the ‘Funk Master,’ and if you’re not prepared, this dude will drag you into the deep waters. I cannot wait to see him back. Be 100% healthy, though, if you’re gonna fight Henry Cejudo.”

It’s still unclear when Sterling plans to fight again. He initially said March wouldn’t work because of his injuries, but then recently mentioned April is a possibility, despite a torn bicep needing more time to recover. The future of the bantamweight division comes down to ‘Funk Master’ either getting the surgery or continuing to fight and risking further damage.

Published on January 13, 2023 at 1:25 am
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