Henry Cejudo picks a back-up fighter for return against Aljamain Sterling - and it's not Sean O'Malley
Henry Cejudo suspects Aljamain Sterling will pull out of their UFC 288 title fight. Hence, 'Tripe C' is being proactive and is already hunting for a backup fighter for the event and no, it's not Sean O'Malley.
In a Twitter post during the recent UFC Fight Night 221 broadcast, the former two-division champion suggested that surging bantamweight contender Merab Dvalishvili be locked in as the backup for the event:
"Dear Dana White, I'm over here watching the No. 2 and No. 3 contenders and I'll tell you what, I've got a feeling that 'Aljizzlame' is more likely to kind of back out of this fight. So that being said why don't you give me Merab? Why don't you give me rising Sean O'Malley [but if he] wants to wait, he wants to take his time. Why don't we make Merab the backup for UFC 288."
Dear @danawhite I want @MerabDvalishvil as a back up. Let me show you what I can do. #andnew https://t.co/PJPjRXfOee
At the weekend's UFC event, Dvalishvili triumphed over former bantamweight champion Petr Yan via unanimous decision. The Georgian is currently on a nine-fight win streak.
Cejudo brushing him off hasn't sat right with Sean O'Malley. The bantamweight superstar responded to 'Triple C's post assuring that he would be ready to face the former champion.
@HenryCejudo @danawhite @MerabDvalishvil I’ll be ready bud
Cejudo, however, doesn't share the same opinion. He responded to 'Sugar', saying:
"Trust me you won’t be ready! Take your time, get your nails done, and your hair did. And watch me work."
@SugaSeanMMA @danawhite @MerabDvalishvil Trust me you won’t be ready! Take your time get your nails done and your hair did. And watch me work
Aljamain Sterling says he has more ways to win against Henry Cejudo
Aljamain Sterling feels he has more ways to win against Henry Cejudo at UFC 288. 'Funk Master' believes that his bigger frame would enable him to exploit more offensive tactics against the former champion.
Speaking on his podcast, the bantamweight champion opined that a hail mary counter is Cejduo's only path to victory over him:
"If I lift my knee, my kneecap is on Henry Cejudo's jaw... I can throw a knee to the body, he takes me down, I get back up. I attack the body again with front kicks, crosses, jabs, feints... Dude, I have more ways to win this fight."
"Henry needs a puncher's chance. He needs to sit down, he needs to block one of those shots and come over the top with something or come down the middle with something."
Catch Aljamain Sterling's comments below: