In a provocative move, Jake Paul placed a bet on Sean O’Malley in the presence of UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling.
This unexpected development has caught the attention of UFC fans and has added further intrigue to the upcoming bout between O’Malley and Sterling scheduled for August 19 at UFC 292.
Aljamain Sterling, who recently defended his bantamweight title with a split decision victory over Henry Cejudo, has been on a successful run in the UFC. With three consecutive title defenses, Sterling has solidified his position as the division’s champion. His previous defenses against Petr Yan and TJ Dillashaw showcased his skill and determination in the octagon.
Following his victory, Sterling was confronted by Sean O’Malley, the second-ranked bantamweight contender. The two engaged in a heated face-off inside the cage, exchanging verbal insults. This confrontation served as a perfect setup for their upcoming clash, which promises to be a thrilling encounter.
Recently, Aljamain Sterling was a guest on Jake Paul’s podcast, where they discussed their respective upcoming matches. During the conversation, Sterling shared his prediction for the outcome of the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz boxing match, while Paul expressed his thoughts on Sterling’s upcoming fight against O’Malley.
Jake Paul, a friend of O’Malley, firmly believes that his friend will be the one to dethrone Sterling. Demonstrating his faith in O’Malley, Paul went a step further and placed a $2000 bet on O’Malley right in front of Sterling. Paul clarified that his support for O’Malley stems from their friendship and loyalty.
“I have to go with Sean because it’s my boy. It’s my boy. It’s not anything against you [Aljamain Sterling], it’s just, I have loyalty… That’s just how I am. I’ve known Sean since three years ago. At the end of the day, I think it’ll be good” Paul explained.
Sean O’Malley is expected to enter the upcoming title bout as the favorite.
O’Malley is currently riding a four win streak, with his most recent victory coming against former champion Petr Yan in October.