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Amid Public Feud That Sent Him to Dana White’s Bad Books, Aljamain Sterling Adamant to Stand His Ground: “Whether He Likes It or Not”

Published 05/29/2023, 4:01 AM EDT

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via Imago

Aljamain Sterling took the UFC stage by storm at UFC 288, captivating the fans with an exceptional performance. He managed to shatter the highly anticipated comeback of former UFC bantamweight and flyweight champion Henry Cejudo, who had been absent from the octagon for three long years. The ‘Funk Master’ successfully defended his belt against ‘Triple C’ in a thrilling split decision victory, marking his third consecutive title defense.

As the reigning UFC bantamweight kingpin reveled in his hard-fought win, Dana White made an announcement regarding Sterling’s next bout against Sean O’Malley. Expecting some time to savor his victory, Sterling found himself engaged in a back-and-forth with the UFC president, as the two clashed over the timing of the upcoming fight. However, amidst all the drama, the 33-year-old fighter recently unveiled a harsh reality that the UFC head honcho must inevitably accept, throwing a wrench into their negotiations.

Dana White will have to accept the reality

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The ‘Funk Master’ recently shared a thought-provoking video on his YouTube channel, reflecting on the current happenings within the UFC. As he answered fan questions, Aljamain Sterling addressed the back-and-forth exchange he had with the UFC supremo. Firstly, he dismissed any lingering animosity between himself and Dana White, stating, “I don’t wanna go back and forth with the Dana thing anymore. Because I think the media is making this more than what it was meant to be.”

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Taking a professional standpoint, he added, “At the end of the day, we’re business partners, whether he likes it or not. It’s just the name of the game, especially when you’re in this position.”

In regard to the Sean O’Malley fight, Sterling stated that he wouldn’t decline the opportunity. But, he believes consulting him before the announcement would’ve been nice. And thus, he stood his ground. Nonetheless, he expressed readiness to add another feather to his cap by stepping into the ring against ‘Suga.’

Aljamain Sterling is aiming for level-up after Sean O’Malley fight

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Reflecting on the upcoming bout with the No. 2 bantamweight, Aljamain Sterling declared his intent to dismantle the hype surrounding ‘Suga,’ saying, “This division has been played with ‘Suga’ for way too long. It’s time I take this division out to the dentist and just get this cavity removed.”

via Imago

Confident in his abilities, the divisional champion anticipates yet another resounding victory, asserting, “I think this one’s gonna be not easy. But I do think after this, I will be Mr. Four Time ‘Funk Master’.”

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What are your thoughts on Aljamain Sterling vs. Sean O’Malley? Who do you think will emerge victorious in the bantamweight clash? Let us know in the comments below.

Watch this story: WATCH: One of the Bloodiest UFC Fights Ever

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Written by:

Mayur Soni

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Mayur Soni is a UFC writer at EssentiallySports. His journey as an MMA fan started with Conor McGregor’s historic 13-second knockout of Jose Aldo in 2015, which sparked his love for the sport. Since then, he has closely followed the sport and gained an in-depth understanding of its nuances, which reflects in his insightful and analytical writing.
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Edited by:

Rohini Kottu