Alajamin Sterling is being "forced" into defending his UFC bantamweight title against Henry Cejudo - according to top contender Sean O'Malley.
Sterling, 33, is expected to welcome former two-weight world champion Cejudo back to the octagon in the first quarter of this year. 'Triple C' hasn't fought since vacating his bantamweight title after beating Dominick Cruz almost three years ago, but looks to fulfil his nickname by becoming a three-time champion.
O'Malley is next in line for a bantamweight title shot after being bumped up to the No.1 contender spot following his controversial win against Petr Yan last October. 'Suga' thinks the absence of an official announcement for the expected title fight shows that Sterling is being forced against his will to make the fight, stating on his podcast : "Still nothing on the title fight. Aljo posted a picture and said training for Suga or something. Henry’s going out there and saying, ‘Hey, done deal on my part'.
