“I like Aljamain Sterling, first and foremost for being willing to fight anyone, anywhere, anytime,” Cormier said in a video posted on his Youtube channel. “He was a champion and he fought everybody – he didn’t care. But it’s going to be hard for him to get that rematch, because if Sean O’Malley doesn’t want to fight him, he won’t be forced to.”
“Is it fair that Aljo won’t get an immediate title shot? Probably not. I’d even say totally unfair. Aljamain should fight for the title. He should get a rematch, but it probably won’t happen because O’Malley isn’t looking back.”
Aljamain Sterling lost the UFC flyweight championship belt to Sean O’Malley by second-round technical knockout this past August, and this past weekend the American challenged his countryman again with a victory at the Polaris 25 grappling tournament.
Sean O’Malley, in a conversation with Joe Rogan, explained that he will fight his next fight in the first quarter of 2024, headlining one of the organization’s numbered events. In doing so, the champion made it clear that he is willing to fight any opponent, but is looking forward to a rematch with the division’s number six Marlon Vera, who dealt him the only defeat of his career three years ago.