September 16, 2023 2:35 pm ET
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 mentioned 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 said “absolutely” to Adesanya getting an immediate rematch and earlier this week was still on board. White, nonetheless, hasn’t been as enthused when speaking about Sterling, with O’Malley speaking up a unique rematch in opposition to Marlon Vera for December.
The best way Sterling sees it, his worthiness is not 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 successful streak, together with a division document three consecutive title defenses, snapped.
“If we’re gonna discuss giving on the spot rematches,” Sterling mentioned, “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 then you definitely 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 suggestion, minutes later within the video he indicated he has “no want” to combat earlier than the 12 months ends.
“It’s nonetheless 2023,” Sterling mentioned. “I’ve no want to combat for the remainder of this 12 months 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 prime of that that might make me be like, ‘All proper, I’m gonna sit back on the holiday and cease the whole lot and return to the health club.’ Dude, that is what life’s all about, man: working exhausting so you would truly benefit from the fruits of your labor.”
Sterling additionally has made the case for his good buddy and coaching accomplice, Merab Dvalishvili, to get a shot at O’Malley instead of him, so what Sterling really desires to occur is anybody’s guess.
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