Sean O’Malley has a tough road ahead of him after losing to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316.
Last weekend, the former UFC Bantamweight Champion suffered back-to-back losses for the first time in his fighting career.
Following his title loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 306 last September, Sean O’Malley was given an immediate title rematch in his return 8 months later.
O’Malley went 0-2 against Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 316, where the talented striker lost by third-round submission.
With two losses to the current champion, there’s no telling what the future holds for O’Malley in the bantamweight division or possibly the featherweight division as Chael Sonnen has suggested.
Whatever the case may be, one of O’Malley former foes doesn’t think the UFC will do ‘Suga’ any favors in his next fight.
- READ MORE: What’s next for Sean O’Malley? Three potential opponents he could face after UFC 316 loss
Aljamain Sterling says Sean O’Malley has to fight ‘the toughest guys at this point’
O’Malley was often criticized for the level of competition he fought during his run to the title.
Before he decisioned Petr Yan and dethroned then bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, O’Malley battered several unranked fighters like Eddie Wineland, Jose Quiñonez and a debuting Kris Moutinho.
Ranked #1 in the world, Sterling says it’s only difficult fights from here for his former rival.
“The UFC is probably not gonna do him another layup [or] favor in terms of stylistic matchup,” Sterling said of O’Malley on his YouTube channel.
“He’s gonna have to fight the toughest guys at this point…
“A lot of people realize he’s good, but if you do ‘X, Y and Z’ like Mario Bautista, those are tough fights for you,” Sterling added.
“Kyler Phillips, those are tough fights for you. Merab, Umar [Nurmagomedov], those are tough fights.
“Even a Petr Yan, who’s a little bit more stationary. But once he gets moving and starts putting those hands on you, it’s a tougher fight for him.”
Aljamain Sterling on Sean O’Malley’s next fight: ‘Give him Song Yadong’
At bantamweight, arguably the most stacked division in the UFC, Sterling admits there are a few good stylistic matchups for a striker of O’Malley’s caliber.
Sterling likes O’Malley’s chances against Patchy Mix after seeing the Bellator champion get outboxed by Mario Bautista at UFC 316.
“The only person I can think of stylistically which would be a relatively favorable fight for him would be a guy like Patchy Mix,” Sterling continued.
“Maybe Aiemann Zahabi,” Sterling said of the #11-ranked contender who just beat Jose Aldo at UFC 315.
“Aiemann’s kinda just in the pocket with you.
“Those would be some good stylistic fights for him.”
When discussing a favorable matchup for O’Malley, Sterling ultimately landed on #5-ranked contender Song Yadong, a striker at heart.
“Give him Song Yadong,” Sterling said of who O’Malley could fight next.