Israel Adesanya Weighs In on Sterling and O’Malley’s Thrilling Main Event

• UFC

The anticipation is thick in the air as Aljamain Sterling (23-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) is set to defend his bantamweight title against rising star Sean O’Malley (16-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) in the upcoming UFC 292 main event. This exhilarating fight is scheduled for Saturday at TD Garden in Boston, with the main card available on pay-per-view, preceded by prelims on ABC/ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.

Adesanya Weighs In On The Bout

UFC middleweight champion and former kickboxing sensation, Israel Adesanya, has been closely watching both fighters. His commentary on their techniques provides a deeper insight into what spectators can expect on the big day.

Particularly taken by O’Malley’s finesse, Adesanya expressed on his YouTube channel, “I like Sean’s flow, his work, the way he fights... his taunts, his kicks, his selection, his combinations... it’s pretty to watch.

It's beautiful to watch”. Not one to dismiss Sterling's prowess, Adesanya adds, “Same with Aljamain, the way he just sticks to people, and just his body – he’s shredded at 135. Once he catches you, it’s like, boom: You have a muscle-ninja turtle on your back”.

The Fight Strategy: A Champion's Perspective

Delineating the potential strategies each fighter might deploy, Adesanya believes that Sterling will focus on his grappling skills to control and overpower his opponent. In contrast, O’Malley's strength lies in "keeping him away with good footwork, good positioning, and pinpoint striking." The middleweight champion further elaborates, “Sean’s slick on the ground.

Scramble for your life. Do not let him get settled because the more he settles, the stronger he gets”. Speculating on the match's outcome, Adesanya states, “If it goes the distance, I think he can do it. O’Malley’s locked in.

I think he can do five rounds”. He then firmly places his bets on O'Malley, saying, “Sometimes you just feel like it’s time, it’s destiny”.