Hot Tweets: Sean O’Malley’s takeover, what’s next for Aljamain Sterling, more

UFC 292 is within the books! What on paper appeared like one of many yr’s finest playing cards ended up being merely a strong pay-per-view, boosted by the large principal occasion outcome. Sean O’Malley is the brand new UFC bantamweight champion, and the UFC has a brand new licensed star on its palms, so let’s speak in regards to the fallout from UFC’s return to Boston.

Sean O’Malley and Ian Machado Garry

Everybody, aside from UFC President Dana White, loves matchmaking instantly after an occasion, so let’s begin with that, as a result of it’s fairly simple.

Sean O’Malley goes to defend his newly gained bantamweight title in opposition to Chito Vera in a rematch, probably in December. Does Chito actually deserve it? No, however within the phrases of William Munny, deserve’s got nothing to do with it. That is enterprise, and O’Malley vs. Vera 2 is the largest struggle within the historical past of the bantamweight division, no less than from a cash standpoint. It’s occurring, and truthfully, I’m high quality with it. It’s a very good struggle, and Chito does have a win over O’Malley, so in that regard it’s extra affordable.

As for who’s going to beat O’Malley, it’s a tough query to reply, as a result of we nonetheless don’t actually understand how good he’s. He’s clearly proficient, however we’ve recognized that for years. We’ve additionally recognized that he’s a hard-hitting counterpuncher with good timing. We discovered virtually nothing new from the Aljamain Sterling struggle, as a result of Aljo didn’t actually commit a lot to wrestling (credit score to O’Malley for staying in movement to make that tougher), after which he dove headfirst right into a counter. Not a number of new data to evaluate there.

That being stated, bantamweight is so filled with killers that it’s formidable to assume O’Malley is in for a protracted title reign. Merab Dvalishvili, Henry Cejudo, Cory Sandhagen, and Umar Nurmagomedov all have a terrific probability of beating the brand new champ, to not point out Petr Yan, who arguably already did. Heck, even Chito has an honest shot (extra on that later). I’m going to say Cejudo is the one to do it, primarily as a result of I feel he’s the almost certainly to get the chance. However Umar is the way forward for this weight class. It’s only a matter of how lengthy it takes to get him to the highest.

Now for Garry, I feel he’s going to finish up combating Stephen Thompson. Within the post-fight presser White stated “Wonderboy” turned Garry down (at all times take that with a big portion of salt). If true (large if) that appears like Wonderboy is confused about his standing with the UFC. Thompson clearly needs the Kamaru Usman struggle, and underneath regular circumstances, he would possibly get that. However the UFC will be vindictive, and Thompson turning down Michel Pereira didn’t precisely sit properly with them, in order that’s most likely off the desk. Push involves shove, I feel we’re going to see Wonderboy vs. Garry at Madison Sq. Backyard.

New champ

Whereas O’Malley profitable the belt was undoubtedly one of the best factor for the UFC (and in some respects, the game), Isaac Newton would have you ever imagine that the constructive response from that’s going to set off an equal adverse response. And we began to see it virtually instantly.

O’Malley is now one of many greatest stars in MMA, and whereas he and Conor McGregor are totally different individuals, O’Malley fairly clearly discovered quite a bit from watching Conor. You may get wealthy in MMA, however you may’t construct generational wealth in it, and O’Malley appears to be within the latter. That’s why instantly after profitable the belt, he type of known as out Chito Vera however then principally simply targeted on boxing Gervonta Davis. That is the Conor playbook to a tee.

What Conor realized that different individuals haven’t precisely caught onto but is that after you’re a star, defending titles is for suckers. Whenever you’re on the high, the one place to go is down, so why trouble? As an alternative you may “problem your self” in different areas, as a result of whenever you fail, it’s explicable. If you happen to succeed, it’s legendary.

O’Malley definitely appears to be of the same thoughts, which I don’t blame him for, however it’s going to muck up the bantamweight division. It took light-weight years to untangle the mess that was McGregor’s “title reign,” and it appears more and more seemingly that 135 is in for the same destiny. For these followers who’re into meritocracy and really discovering out who one of the best bantamweight on the earth is, it’s gonna be a tricky stretch.

O’Malley vs. Chito II

Right here’s why you shouldn’t be upset by this struggle occurring subsequent: It’s going to be enjoyable as all get out.

No matter your ideas on O’Malley as an individual, persona, or champion, the dude is a dynamic and enjoyable fighter. Similar for Vera. The construct for the struggle would be the stuff desires are fabricated from for UFC executives and most followers. After which the struggle itself ought to be spectacular, as a result of each guys are nice, and their types match up extraordinarily properly.

O’Malley is a rangy puncher who likes to counter and makes use of his pure abilities. Vera begins a little bit gradual, however he builds extraordinarily properly, can jab like nobody’s enterprise, and might pull finishes out of nowhere. Additionally, you couldn’t harm Vera with a Louisville Slugger, and that would find yourself being the distinction. O’Malley may need barely extra instruments, however a number of combating boils right down to are you able to harm the opposite man greater than he hurts you? And whenever you’re combating a dude that may’t be harm, that’s a tricky proposition, notably for the best way O’Malley wins.

Promotion

It definitely labored out, didn’t it?

As somebody who baggage on the UFC typically (and rightfully so), 292 is a superb instance of why I do it: As a result of look what the promotion is able to when it tries! Sean O’Malley is an even bigger star at this time than he was this previous Friday largely as a result of he gained a world title, but additionally as a result of the UFC did the whole lot it may to maximise that final result. O’Malley acquired a full-court press with adverts in the course of the occasion, making him look like a star, after which afterward, the UFC really put the end up on its YouTube channel and social media feeds. The UFC by no means does that out of some ridiculous notion that doing so prices them pay-per-view buys. However they had been prepared to sacrifice the seven misplaced pay-per-view purchases this time in order that as an alternative the world may see their shiny new champion. That’s what’s known as promotion, and it might be nice if the UFC began doing this for all its champions.

Aljamain Sterling

Poor Aljo. Dropping to O’Malley most likely solidifies Sterling as having the weirdest title run in UFC historical past. Only a string of oddities capped off by dropping the one struggle everybody thought he would win. Ouch. And it’s made all the more serious as a result of Sterling is in a horrible spot proper now.

Had Aljo gained, he may have gone as much as 145 and instantly challenged for the title. He most likely would have misplaced, however it’s like I discussed up high: low danger, excessive reward. Now, although? That’s by no means occurring. Neither is the speedy rematch with O’Malley — and credit score to Aljo, although he did name for it, it looks like he is aware of that’s not going to occur. O’Malley isn’t going to struggle him once more. Why would he?

So Aljo is caught between a crappy rock and a crappy exhausting place. Both he can keep at 135 and run interference for Merab, or he can transfer as much as 145 and throw himself into the combo of contenders up there and hope to make one thing occur. The latter looks like one of the best thought, if solely as a result of there are fewer guys concerned within the title dialog, however nonetheless, it’s a tricky row to hoe for Aljo. On its deserves, a struggle between Aljo and Brian Ortega could be actually enjoyable, and if Aljo wins, he’s instantly a top-five man. The issue is that Volkanovski has made it fairly clear that he’s not going to struggle anybody except they’re an unassailable contender, so Aljo goes to wish extra than simply an Ortega win.

If I’m Aljo and I’m going for the largest reward play, I’d attempt to struggle Max Holloway after he stomps Korean Zombie this weekend. The timelines match up properly, and if he wins (he gained’t), then Sterling may fairly get a title shot off it.

Ian Machado Garry vs. Shavkat Rakhmonov

Sure. Frankly, I wouldn’t hate if the UFC went forward and did this now. It could be as significant a struggle for Shavkat because the Kelvin Gastelum one, so why not? However I feel the extra seemingly state of affairs right here is that these two males do find yourself dealing with one another in just a few years, with the welterweight title on the road.

I really like Leon Edwards, however I’m a fairly large believer that Shavkat is the subsequent dude at this weight class (since Khamzat Chimaev couldn’t get his weight underneath management), and I’m equally excessive on Garry, particularly given his youth. I feel Shavkat wins the belt subsequent yr, after which Garry can work himself to a title shot by 2025.

Thanks for studying, and thanks for everybody who despatched in Tweets! Do you’ve any burning questions on issues no less than considerably associated to fight sports activities? Then you definately’re in luck, as a result of you may ship your Scorching Tweets to me, @JedKMeshew, and I’ll reply my favourite ones! Doesn’t matter in the event that they’re topical or insane, simply as long as they’re good. Thanks once more and see y’all subsequent week.