Rising UFC bantamweight star Sean O'Malley has issued a warning to current champion Aljamain Sterling. O'Malley has threatened to "strip" Sterling of his title if he refuses to sign on to fight former champion Henry Cejudo.
'Sugar' has taken a bold stance regarding the title situation in the division. He has declared himself the "president" of the bantamweight division and has issued an ultimatum to current champion Aljamain Sterling.
Sean O'Malley has demanded that Sterling should sign a contract for a fight against Cejudo by the end of the week. If 'Funk Master' fails to do so, O'Malley has threatened to strip him of his title and book himself a title fight.
The 135-pound top contender tweeted:
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
"As the president of the bantamweight division I demand a contract signed by Aljo by the end of the week or I will strip him from his title and book myself a title fight."
Regardless of the reaction, O'Malley's declaration has added an extra layer of intrigue to the bantamweight division, which has been without a title fight for several months due to Sterling's injury. It remains to be seen whether the bantamweight champion will accept the challenge or if O'Malley will follow through on his threat to book himself a title fight.
Sean O'Malley inks new 8-fight contract with UFC
The UFC's No.1 ranked bantamweight contender, Sean O'Malley, has committed his future to the promotion by signing a new contract extension. The deal, which was negotiated directly by O'Malley himself, ensures that the highly-touted fighter will remain with the UFC for the next eight fights.
O'Malley first gained notoriety in Dana White's Contender Series, where he delivered an impressive knockout victory in his debut. Since then, he has continued to build his reputation as one of the most exciting and dynamic fighters in the bantamweight division.
UFC president Dana White has confirmed that Sean O'Malley has signed a new contract extension with the promotion. The news has been met with great enthusiasm by UFC fans and is a clear indication of the promotion's belief in O'Malley's potential.
In addition to White's confirmation of the news, O'Malley himself has also discussed the deal on his own podcast. The fighter's candid and personal approach to negotiations has clearly paid off, as he has secured a new contract that is both lucrative and reflective of his value within the UFC.