Aljamain Sterling isn’t surprised to see Sean O'Malley rematch Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316.
After losing his bantamweight title to Dvalishvili (19-4 MMA, 12-2 UFC) by unanimous decision at UFC 306 this past September, O’Malley (18-2 MMA, 10-2 UFC) will get an immediate opportunity to avenge that loss when the pair run things back in the June 7 headliner at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J.
Sterling never expected to get the same treatment when he lost his title to O’Malley at UFC 292, but he understands why the promotion is opting to give O’Malley that opportunity.
But does he think he deserves it? His response was rather sarcastic.
“Honest answer, the UFC’s gonna do what’s best for the business and the brand. Would I have liked an immediate rematch due to the circumstances going into the first fight? Absolutely. But I understand the business model better than most, and O’Malley is a really exciting guy that has beaten many top five contenders. So I think he rightfully deserves it after all the ranked names he has beaten.”
Honest answer, the UFC’s gonna do what’s best for the business and the brand. Would I have liked an immediate rematch due to the circumstances going into the first fight? Absolutely. But I understand the business model better than most, and O’Malley is a really exciting guy that… https://t.co/IaqaMKweAS
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 2, 2025
You offer him a trilogy https://t.co/Hil00ckEMu
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) April 3, 2025
Dvalishvili has since notched his first title defense by handing Umar Nurmagomedov his first-career loss at UFC 311 in January. Meanwhile, O’Malley underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left hip – an injury he says he came into the fight with.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 316.
