Sean Strickland caused a massive upset in MMA, becoming the new UFC Middleweight Champion through relentless pressure on Israel Adesanya. Towards the end of their bout, Strickland unleashed over 20 unanswered shots on Adesanya.
A concerned fan took to social media, highlighting that referee Marc Goddard allowed Adesanya to endure this barrage without stopping the fight. The fan tweeted, “Marc Goddard let Adesanya eat 26(TWENTY SIX) unanswered shots from Sean Strickland and didn’t even think of stopping the fight yet he barely gave @funkmasterMMA a chance to recover vs “suga”😭😭We all know Marc got “the call”…”.
The fan contrasted this with Aljamain Sterling’s recent clash against Sean O’Malley at UFC 292, where Goddard intervened early.
In the second round, Sean O’Malley delivered a precise counter right, sending Aljamain Sterling to the canvas. O’Malley swiftly moved in, attempting to secure victory with ground-and-pound strikes. Sterling, in a defensive maneuver, rolled onto his stomach, prompting referee Marc Goddard to step in and halt the fight. However, the decision sparked debate among fighters and fans, as many questioned the timing of Goddard’s stoppage.
Sterling himself chimed in, acknowledging the inconsistency. He revealed a post-fight conversation with Goddard in Sydney, where they discussed the situation. Sterling claimed, “I feel you on this for sure. Gooddard and I spoke in Sydney after the fight. He’s open to dialogue and I respect the hell out of that. Unfortunately, what’s done is done. I’ll be back for certain tho! 🍻”.
I feel you on this for sure. Gooddard and I spoke in Sydney after the fight. He’s open to dialogue and I respect the hell out of that. Unfortunately, what’s done is done. I’ll be back for certain tho! 🍻 https://t.co/CYfLeiclR3
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) September 12, 2023
Sterling appreciated Goddard’s openness to dialogue but couldn’t change what had already happened. Intriguingly, Goddard was present in both bouts, leaving fans questioning the disparity in his decisions. Sterling, despite his frustration, expressed his determination to return stronger next time.
Aljamain Sterling will not be having any rematch with Sean O’Malley
Following his victory at UFC 292, Sean O’Malley has firmly dismissed the notion of granting Aljamain Sterling an immediate rematch. O’Malley delivered a knockout blow to Sterling last month, clinching the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
Debate swirled within the MMA community regarding who should be next in line for a shot at O’Malley’s title. Some argued for Sterling’s right to redemption, while others favored Merab Dvalishvili. However, O’Malley himself seems to lean towards a rematch with Marlon Vera, a bout that promises to be one of the UFC‘s most anticipated.
Recently, Sterling directly requested a rematch with ‘Suga’ during a broadcast, using his phone to make the plea. Regrettably for Sterling, O’Malley responded with a succinct, “No. If it was close, maybe”.
O’Malley’s decision to forego an immediate rematch with Sterling sets the stage for further speculation and anticipation within the MMA community, as fans eagerly await the next chapter in the bantamweight division.
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