Sean O'Malley’s coach has very high praise for UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.
O’Malley (16-1 MMA, 8-1 UFC) is scheduled to challenge Sterling (23-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) for the 135-pound title in the UFC 292 headliner on Aug. 19 at TD Garden in Boston.
It’s clear that O’Malley’s head coach, Tim Welch, is not taking Sterling lightly. In fact, he called Sterling the toughest test O’Malley could face.
“Stylistically, this is the most dangerous bantamweight champion there’s ever been,” Welch told ESPN. “I really think that. He’s just so athletic, he’s long, he’s strong. He’s not just a good wrestler; he’s a good wrestler with good jiu-jitsu, and he’s very funky. He switches stance, throws spazzy things at you. He’s good at chaining his wrestling together. He’s the most dangerous bantamweight there’s ever been in my opinion.”
Welch explained that Sterling’s ability to control a fight is what makes him so good.
“If you make one simple mistake, he’s going to be on your back the whole time,” Welch said. “His cardio has gotten better. He’s not only good at grappling, but he’s good at MMA grappling, too. He’s going to be good at mixing it up. The timing is going to be right when he’s ready to start punching you, then he’s ready to keep advancing to half guard, then try to mount you and force you to give up your back. He’s just very good physically and technically.”
Welch said O’Malley, who is a striking specialist, is no stranger to having to fend off takedowns and will be prepared for Sterling’s attack.
“If anybody’s going to (beat Sterling), ‘Suga’s’ going to be able to do it,” Welch said. “His whole career, the game plan against Sean has been to pressure him and get him on the fence and take him down. His whole career has been that way.”
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 292.
