Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Aljamain Sterling Predicts Dire UFC 299 Main Event Between Sean O'Malley & Marlon Vera: 'Ngannou vs. Lewis Or Namajunas vs. Esparza'

Originally posted on MMA News | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated 3/6/24

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is expecting a snoozefest when the title he used to hold gets put on the line this weekend.

Seven months on from the start of a new era at 135 pounds, Sean O'Malley defend the belt for the first time. In the main event of Saturday's UFC 299 pay-per-view in Miami, Florida, he'll run it back with Marlon Vera.

"Chito" is the only fighter to boast a victory over the champ, and his result opposite O'Malley back in 2020 has seemingly paved the way for him to receive a widely debated shot at title glory at the Kaseya Center on March 9.

Given the finishing reputations held by both the Montana native and his Ecuadorian challenger, some are expecting an enthralling affair come fight night in the "Magic City."

O'Malley's predecessor, however, can see the UFC 299 main event being an all-time snoozer...

Sterling Urges Vera To Make O'Malley Fight 'Boring'

During a recent episode of his YouTube podcast, The Weekly Scraps, Sterling broke down Saturday's headliner and explained the kind of fight he is anticipating when O'Malley and Vera share the cage for the second time.

Rather than an exciting end to what looks to be a stacked lineup, "Funk Master" is predicting a fight that will be up there with Francis Ngannou vs. Derrick Lewis at UFC 226 and Rose Namajunas vs. Carla Esparza 2 at UFC 274 as one of the worst ever.

"I’m saying this is Francis Ngannou-Derrick Lewis or Rose Namajunas-Carla Esparza 2," Sterling said. "I think if you’re 'Chito,' you fight this motherf*cker boring, bro. You can’t fight him aggressive and try to be exciting because he’s too good at what he does... (Vera), brother, I'm giving you the goods. I'm telling you straight up, watch the Pedro (Munhoz) fight, watch the (Petr) Yan fight; look at the only times O'Malley was able to capitalize on strikes."

While Sterling's main attention is now on the featherweight division, in which he'll debut at UFC 300 next month, he'll no doubt still have an eye on proceedings in the weight class he formerly ruled over.

With that, O'Malley will no doubt hope to prove "Funk Master" wrong and put on a memorable display in what will be both his first title defense and first time in the PPV main event spotlight.

It's about to go DOWN #UFC299 is happening THIS Saturday

[ LIVE on @ESPNPlus PPV | 10pmET/7pmPT ] pic.twitter.com/NELscX98IC
— UFC (@ufc) March 5, 2024