Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling might need a salient level about getting a direct title rematch, however would he even settle for it if he was provided?
Talking from trip in Bali, Sterling stated in a video posted to his YouTube channel Saturday that if Israel Adesanya was to get a direct rematch following his lopsided title loss to Sean Strickland, he too ought to obtain one following his second-round knockout loss to Sean O’Malley.
Instantly following UFC 293, UFC CEO Dana White stated “completely” to Adesanya getting a direct rematch and earlier this week was nonetheless on board. White, nonetheless, hasn’t been as enthused when talking about Sterling, with O’Malley speaking up a distinct rematch in opposition to Marlon Vera for December.
The way in which Sterling sees it, his worthiness isn’t any worse than on the identical stage of Adesanya’s contemplating the way in which he misplaced to Strickland and the truth that he’s dropped two of his previous three title fights in comparison with Sterling having a nine-fight profitable streak, together with a division file three consecutive title defenses, snapped.
“If we’re gonna speak about giving on the spot rematches,” Sterling stated, “you give a man who misplaced two fights in the identical title reign – so he gained the belt, he misplaced (to Alex Pereira), beat the man, after which got here again and misplaced once more to a different man. So it’s like, how are you giving him one other title shot? And you then inform me that I don’t deserve it? That’s all I’m saying.
“I’m not knocking Izzy. Izzy, in the event that they provide the title shot, brother, take that shit and run. However what I’m saying is, how do you get it and I don’t? If the followers, Dana, whoever can justify that to me and I might be like, ‘All proper, I can see the purpose’ – however I don’t see the purpose.”
Whereas Sterling’s argument is perhaps robust for the UFC to make him a proposal, minutes later within the video he indicated he has “no want” to battle earlier than the yr ends.
“It’s nonetheless 2023,” Sterling stated. “I’ve no want to battle for the remainder of this yr except it was a really attractive supply.”
A person within the video interrupted Sterling at that second.
“Like Sean in December?” he requested.
Sterling continued, “However even that, truthfully, it wouldn’t even be except there was some payday incentive or one thing else on high of that that might make me be like, ‘All proper, I’m gonna relax on the holiday and cease all the things and return to the gymnasium.’ Dude, that is what life’s all about, man: working onerous so you can really benefit from the fruits of your labor.”
Sterling additionally has made the case for his good buddy and coaching companion, Merab Dvalishvili, to get a shot at O’Malley as an alternative of him, so what Sterling really desires to occur is anybody’s guess.
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