With UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]Aljamain Sterling[/autotag] eyeing a return not until next summer, [autotag]Henry Cejudo[/autotag] wants [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] next.
Sterling (22-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC), who retained his title by finishing T.J. Dillashaw last week at UFC 280, told MMA Junkie that UFC 284 on Feb. 12 is too soon for him to compete again. Instead, he’s looking at mid-2023 to come back.
Cejudo (16-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) already has completed his six months in the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency program and is eager to get back the bantamweight title he never lost. So if Sterling is looking to take some time off, Cejudo wants now No. 1-ranked bantamweight contender O’Malley for the interim title at UFC 284 in Perth.
“Hey @danawhite since Denzel Sterling wants to work on his rap career (He can be called Lil Power) How about Me Vs Ronald MethDonald @SugaSeanMMA for a interim in Australia? I’m short so I’m used to being Down Under.
.”
Hey @danawhite since Denzel Sterling wants to work on his rap career (He can be called Lil Power) How about Me Vs Ronald MethDonald @SugaSeanMMA for a interim in Australia? I’m short so I’m used to being Down Under. 🏆🏆🏆
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) October 31, 2022
O’Malley (16-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) edged out former champion Petr Yan at UFC 280 to earn that top spot in the bantamweight rankings. Cejudo sees an interim title fight with O’Malley as the logical next step and is convinced that Sterling is dodging a fight with him.
“Hey Allshitstain… @funkmasterMMA Are you really gonna count your victory over the Gimp as a win? Surprised you didn’t call out Oscar Pistorius afterwards. I know you gotta work on your cardio but don’t run from me for 8 months.
“
Hey Allshitstain… @funkmasterMMA Are you really gonna count your victory over the Gimp as a win? Surprised you didn’t call out Oscar Pistorius afterwards. I know you gotta work on your cardio but don’t run from me for 8 months. 💋
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) October 28, 2022
[vertical-gallery id=2590686]