In a shocking turn of events, new footage has emerged from Sean O’Malley’s knockout win over Aljamain Sterling at UFC 292, raising questions about the role of gamesmanship in the fight. O’Malley’s head coach, Tim Welch, can be heard calling out to Sterling during the bout, urging him to make a move that ultimately led to his downfall.
While speaking to opposing fighters during a match is not against the rules, the impact it can have on the outcome of the fight is undeniable. Sterling, however, denies that Welch’s words had any effect on his performance, dismissing the speculation as nonsense.
The drama didn’t end there, as Sterling’s teammate and O’Malley’s next opponent, Merab Dvalishvili, joined the conversation on social media, threatening to take on Welch outside of the cage. This sparked a heated exchange between Sterling, Welch, and O’Malley, with accusations and insults flying back and forth.
Despite the controversy, Welch maintains that O’Malley’s victory was solely due to his skill and accuracy in the fight, not because of any outside interference. The animosity between the two camps continues to simmer, setting the stage for a highly anticipated rematch later this year.
As the dust settles on this contentious chapter in the bantamweight division, fans can look forward to the upcoming showdown between O’Malley and Dvalishvili, where the rivalry between the fighters and their teams will finally be put to rest inside the octagon.