Boston plays host to UFC 292, with Aljamain Sterling headling proceedings against Sean O’Malley for the Bantamweight Championship. Josh Gaillard previews the card.
Main Event
Aljamain Sterling 37/100 | Sean O’Malley 39/20
Aljamain Sterling may not have been favourite among fans, me included, but his rise to the top of the bantamweight division cannot go unappreciated. The polar opposite is true for the latest challenger, the Suga Show, ever so proudly brought to you by ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley.
The UFC bantamweight crown has been dominated by just one other fighter, and the new champion, Aljamain Sterling (23-3), looks like one of the greatest the division has ever seen. Sterling’s initial crowning moment was tarnished by a disqualification victory, but the 34-year-old went on to defeat three former champions in TJ Dillashaw, Petr Yan – for a second time, and Henry Cejudo.
🚨 ALJAMAIN STERLING 🆚 SEAN O'MALLEY
— ARENA (@MMArena_) August 17, 2023
LE FACE À FACE AVANT LA GUERRE POUR LE TITRE 🏆 #UFC292 pic.twitter.com/JmuLC5tI1F
If there was ever a fighter set up for stardom in the UFC since Conor McGregor, ‘Suga’ Sean O’Malley (16-1) is him. Since his debut on Dana White’s Contender Series, O’Malley has impressed – but his five-fight winstreak was halted by Marlon Vera in 2020.
The 28-year-old has subsequently gained millions of fans around the world with three impressive knockouts, and a questionable decision victory over former champion Petr Yan.
Using his lengthy attributes for the bantamweight division, O’Malley’s striking has afforded him a seat at the table for the title, and he will be truly tested in all facets of mixed martial arts.
Verdict: Aljamain Sterling Win 37/100
Sterling appears to be the safer bet, while O’Malley is undoubtedly the more lucrative option. The champ is more polished across all departments of MMA, and most expect him to grind the wrestling, take back mount and submit O’Malley.
However, the skill of O’Malley on the feet is not to be toyed with, and the Suga Show could be on full display if Aljo is not cautious in his approach.
Co-Main Event
Weili Zhang 27/100 | Amanda Lemos 24/10
The co-main event of UFC 292 will see the return of strawweight champion Zhang Weili battling championship-bound veteran, Amanda Lemos. The first-ever Chinese UFC Champion, Weili, hopes to ride the wave of her epic story against an oncoming challenger from Brazil, Amanda Lemos, whose last shot at gold is now.
The Beijing native, Zhang Weili (23-3), is once again training away from home, in Phuket Thailand. Ever since losing the belt to Rose Namajunas in 2021, the change of camp has brought “good luck” in her own words.
The 34-year-old knocked out Joanna Jedrzejczyk in their second meeting to earn the second title shot of her career. The champion at the time, Carla Esparza was on a six-fight win streak in the lead-up to a battle with the Weili, and Zhang couldn’t have looked more sharp, powerful, and dominant with a round two submission victory to become the two-time strawweight champion.
Quand Weili Zhang soulevait Francis Ngannou facilement 😅
— La Sueur (@LaSueur_off) August 16, 2023
pic.twitter.com/5KgDzCZouy
A surging strawweight from Belem, Brazil, Amanda Lemos (13-2), is ready for her last shot at UFC gold. At the ripe old age of 36, Lemos knows this might be her last hoorah.
After a rocky start to her UFC career in 2017, Lemos fought her way to a five-fight win streak, before being submitted by former champion Jessica Andrade. That did not dent her ambitions as she found back-to-back finishes over Michelle Waterson and Marina Rodriguez.
Verdict: Weili Zhang Win 27/100
Lemos has power, and if she can pick the right shots, we could be in for an upset. But the well-rounded and unpredictable Weili Zhang has proven that she will always find a way to improve on her last performance to find victory.
From major grappling improvements to outdoing one of the best strikers the strawweight division has ever seen, the Chinese superstar will be hard to overcome.
Top Treble for UFC 292:
Sterling Win 37/100
Vera Win 49/100
Holobaugh Win 13/10
Treble to win at 3/1
Full Card Predictions
Main Card: 04:00 CAT, Sunday 20 August
- Bantamweight (C) Aljamain Sterling (37/100) vs Sean O’Malley (39/20): Sterling
- (W) Strawweight (C) Zhang Weili (27/100) vs Amanda Lemos (24/10): Weili
- Welterweight Ian Garry (23/100) vs Neil Magny (11/4): Garry
- Bantamweight Marlon Vera (49/100) vs Pedro Munhoz (29/20): Vera
Prelims: 02:00 CAT, Sunday 20 August
- Middleweight Chris Weidman (2/1) vs Brad Tavares (34/100): Tavares
- Middleweight Gregory Rodrigues (26/100) vs Denis Tiuliulin (5/2): Rodrigues
- Lightweight Austin Hubbard (53/100) vs Kurt Holobaugh (13/10): Holobaugh
Early Prelims: 00:00 CAT, Sunday 20 August
- Middleweight Andre Petroski (7/20) vs Gerald Meerschaert (39/20): Petroski
- (W) Flyweight Andrea Lee (5/2) vs Natália Silva (26/100): Lee
- (W) Flyweight Karine Silva (59/100) vs Maryna Moroz (12/10): Silva
