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Aljamain Sterling Reveals Worrying Insight Into Marlon Vera's Camp For Sean O'Malley Title Fight At UFC 299

Originally posted on MMA News | By Harvey Leonard | Last updated 3/4/24

Former UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has heard some troubling things through the grapevine regarding Marlon Vera's preparation for his title challenge on Saturday.

After another event at the Apex this past weekend, the promotion is back on the road for a stacked UFC 299 pay-per-view card in Miami, where the Kaseya Center will play host to one championship contest and plenty of intriguing matchups.

Topping the lineup is Sean O'Malley's first defense. Just less than seven months on from his crowning at the expense of Sterling in Boston, "Sugar" will put the gold on the line against Vera, the sole fighter to hold a win over the champ in professional MMA.

In the lead-up, the Ecuadorian has appeared confident of repeating the feat he achieved via TKO at UFC 252 in 2020. But rumors seem to suggest things may not have gone perfectly ahead of his attempt at doing so...

Sterling Worried For Vera After Hearing Of Struggles In Camp

During a recent episode of his YouTube podcast, The Weekly Scraps, Sterling gave his assessment of the upcoming title clash in the division he formerly ruled over across a lengthy reign.

"Funk Master" has previously been close to the fence regarding a prediction, acknowledging factors that could set up an upset victory for "Chito" at UFC 299.

But having heard talk of a hampered camp on the side of the challenger, Sterling is leaning toward O'Malley retaining come fight night in Miami this weekend.

"The only thing I'm concerned about, I'm hearing through the grapevines that he didn't really have a great camp — from a lot of guys he trained with," Sterling said. "I don't know how true that is. (But) with that said, I'm leaning toward O'Malley to get it done. I don't think he finishes him. By decision? I'm saying split decision."

Whether that speculation turns out to be factual or not remains to be seen, but we'll likely find out when Vera enters the cage for his first opportunity at achieving title glory on MMA's biggest stage.

His championship challenge will come in the main event on March 9, with the likes of Dustin Poirier, Michael "Venom" Page, Gilbert Burns, Curtis Blaydes, and Rafael dos Anjos all set to take to the Octagon beforehand.