UFC 292: Aljamain Sterling vs Sean O’Malley 08/19/2023 Fight Odds, Preview and Picks

UFC 292: Sterling vs O’Malley 08/19/2023 – Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley lock horns in a five-round clash for the UFC bantamweight crown on Saturday, August 19, at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Sterling defends his title for the fourth time against No2 contender O’Malley in a showdown of two of the most exciting fighters in the 135-pound category. The fight will be aired live at 10:00 PM ET on ESPN/ESPN+ in the United States while subscribers in the United Kingdom will view the match via TNT Sport.

The championship clash and the other matches will be streamed live on UFC Fight Pass. Sterling defeated Henry Cejudo in his recent title defense, while O’Malley bested Petr Yan to earn a championship opportunity The match is also a test for Sterling if he remains as one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world. The world’s best online sportsbook will provide the latest figures, odds and parlays that you will need for this much anticipated showdown at the palm of your hands.

Tweets by ufc

Main Card

Aljamain Sterling

Sterling (23-3, 15-3 UFC) will once again prove that he is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the promotion. After having tough title defenses against Petr Yan, TJ Dillashaw and Henry Cejudo, the Uniondale, New York-born fighting specimen faces one of the best strikers in the game in O’Malley. Sterling is expected to maximize his ground game to neutralize his foe’s striking prowess. He will use his wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills to the max in order to fend off O’Malley’s damaging attacks.

However, it is easier said than done as Sterling will give up a four-inch height disparity going into the fight. The champion may leverage his experience, particularly in enduring five-round battles, in this crucial clash. He has went past three rounds four times, including three in the UFC. Sterling has worked his way to outlast his foes in the championship rounds and has been able to gain the judges’ nod during those fights.

Stats wise, Sterling has 11 finishes in his 26-fight career. He submitted eight fighters and knocked out three more. The American prefers to use his ground game more as he looks to dominate with his wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills. With a takedown average of 2.02 per 15 minutes, his accuracy suffers at 24% due to his frequent attempts. His takedown defense is 45% and has averaged 0.8 submission attempts per 15 minutes. In terms of striking, Sterling has landed an average of 4.78 significant strikes per minute at a 52% accuracy rate. He’s taken only 2.54 significant strikes per minute in his UFC career, showcasing a solid 58% strike defense.

Sean O’Malley

O’Malley (16-1, 1 NC; 8-1, 1 NC) has become one of the most exciting bantamweight fighters in the UFC and a post-fight bonus machine since debuting in the promotion in March 2018. In 10 fights, he won eight and seven of them have gained post-match bonuses. O’Malley secured a title shot by defeating Petr Yan on October 22, 2022. It was a back-and-forth match, but O’Malley’s punches and kicks earned him the victory over the former bantamweight champion. He will have a four-inch height and one-inch reach advantage that he can use to outclass the champion.

His striking will be his main weapon in this fight. In 18 fights, O’Malley has registered 12 stoppages, with 11 coming by way of knockout. He averages an impressive 7.43 significant strikes per minute with a 60% accuracy rate. His strike defense is impressive at 62%, only taking 3.54 significant strikes per minute from Helena, Montana. He rarely grapples as evidenced by his 0.45 successful takedowns per 15 minutes and his pedestrian 42% takedown accuracy rate. He has defended 60% of the takedown attempts against him and has averaged 0.45 submission attempts per 15 minutes.