Sean O’Malley has openly claimed that this is his era, and every time he steps into the Octagon, it’s the ‘Suga’ show. The UFC, including Dana White, backs that narrative, promoting him as a future megastar. However, many still doubt his legitimacy. His former rival, Aljamain Sterling, has been vocal about that. Sterling doesn’t believe there’s real hype behind the former champ but hailed O’Malley’s fighting style, calling it exciting.
Ahead of UFC 316, former champion Aljamain Sterling shared his thoughts on Sean O’Malley, questioning the hype around him. He said he doesn’t see much personality outside of O’Malley’s fights and finds his public image a bit bland.
While he acknowledged O’Malley’s knockout-heavy record, Sterling suggested that those highlights often come from facing less dangerous opponents. He respects O’Malley’s skills but remains unconvinced about the star power and hype surrounding the former champion.
“I don’t really know his personality outside…I always say his personality is a bit dry in my opinion. And I didn’t really understand the stardom other than his fight skills. He is really good fighter and has lot of knockout highlights that’s usually good when you are fighting like not so good people,” he said.
🤩 Aljamain Sterling doesn't get Sean O'Malley stardom, says that his personality is dry.
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) June 5, 2025
At the same time thinks that O'Malley's fighting style is what makes him exciting.
🎥 @Home_of_Fight & @JakeNoeckerMMA pic.twitter.com/jk0eCb5JOl
Indeed, to prove he’s a true superstar, Sean O’Malley needs to deliver big pay-per-view numbers at UFC 316 and leave a lasting impression. A dominant performance alone won’t be enough. He has to create a moment that gets everyone talking long after the event ends. If he can pull that off, it could silence the critics and end the ongoing skepticism around his stardom, finally cementing his place as one of the UFC’s biggest draws.
Sean O’Malley Matches UFC Earnings With Lucrative Outside Ventures
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The former Bantamweight star aimed to make a lot of money and proved he could earn just as much outside the UFC as inside. ‘Suga’ revealed while talking to Demetrious Johnson that he now makes about the same amount from outside ventures as he does from fighting. This shows how he has grown his brand and capitalized on opportunities beyond the Octagon, building a strong presence both as a fighter and as a personality in the sports and entertainment world.
Indeed, he’s reached a point where he isn’t solely dependent on his UFC paycheck. Beyond fighting and endorsements, O’Malley has also revealed that he invests his earnings, showing a smart approach to managing his wealth. This financial strategy adds another layer to his success outside the cage.
