'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
After a dominant win over an injured T.J. Dillashaw, Aljamain Sterling has stated that he deserves a break and won't be fighting until mid-2023. This leaves any potential contenders in limbo.
'Funk Master' finished his opponent at UFC 280 with strikes in the second round of their five-round title bout. Despite him doing his job, he was still criticized by fans. 'Killashaw' revealed that he had been suffering from a dislocated shoulder throughout camp and had trouble with it on multiple occasions during his last fight.
While discussing what's next for him, Aljamain Sterling told Henry Cejudo to "go kick rocks" as he's preparing to take a break from the sport that will keep him out of action up until at least mid-2023.
Trending
"I'm not fighting until mid-year, next year. So I don't know what anybody's talking about. You're gonna need to move me to get me back into a training camp, so good luck with that and that's my honest opinion. I earned my time off, so Henry can go kick rocks... As a whole, Sean [O'Malley] just draws better than Cejudo, he hasn't fought in almost three years... In terms of financially, I want the biggest fight which is typically the fight that the fans want to see the most. I feel it's the Sean O'Malley fight."
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
Sean O'Malley has risen as a surprise contender for the bantamweight title after his razor-thin decision win over Petr Yan last weekend. Although many believed he lost the brawl, he got the nod on the judges scorecards and walked away as the new #1-ranked 135lber in the world.
Check out what Aljamain Sterling had to say about his next title defense in the video below.
Is Henry Cejudo the smart choice for Aljamain Sterling next?
Aljamain Sterling has arguably had one of the most unfortunate runs as a champion in the UFC. Securing a win over Olympic gold medalist Henry Cejudo would silence a large number of doubters and cement the 33-year-old as one of the greatest athletes in MMA history.
A high-risk, high-reward approach may not be the best course of action for Sterling and an arguably easier matchup against Sean O'Malley will help the champion stunt the prospect's hype and retain his title if he manages to win.
