Former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson criticizes bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling’s clinch game ahead of UFC 292. Johnson expresses confidence in his ability to dominate in the clinch.
Former undisputed flyweight champion, Demetrious Johnson, has expressed his doubts about the clinch game and skills of incumbent bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling. This comes after a surprising offer from Sterling to Johnson ahead of their respective fights at UFC 292 this weekend.
Johnson, who currently holds the undisputed flyweight equivalent title in ONE Championship, was the inaugural flyweight champion in the UFC. While he has not confirmed his retirement plans from mixed martial arts competition, Johnson recently booked an outing in submission grappling after his trilogy rubber match win over Adriano Moraes earlier this year.
On the other hand, Sterling, the undisputed bantamweight champion, is set to headline UFC 292 in Boston, Massachusetts. He will be facing the surging challenger, Sean O’Malley, in his fourth attempted successful title defense.
Sterling made an unexpected proposition to Johnson, expressing his interest in fighting him to avenge his prior loss to common-foe, Henry Cejudo. However, Johnson dismissed Sterling’s offer, criticizing his clinch game. According to Johnson, Sterling’s weakness lies in his lack of skills in the clinch.
In an interview with MMA Fighting, Johnson stated, "I feel his (Aljamain Sterling) weakness is he has no clinch game. Like, I would eat his ass up for breakfast in the clinch game. I feel like rhythm-wise, I move way better than he does on the feet – grappling; he is longer, so I would never let him get my fcking back, because he’ll lock them fcking ‘Funkmaster’ legs in a body triangle like he did on Petr Yan, and they’ll have to survive him doing that."
Johnson further explained that Sterling’s style of crossing the distance in their fights actually works to his advantage. He believes that he can take advantage of Sterling’s movements and dominate him in the clinch.
It remains to be seen if Demetrious Johnson will challenge Aljamain Sterling after UFC 292. However, Johnson’s criticism of Sterling’s clinch game has certainly added an intriguing element to their potential matchup.
Summary
| Key Points |
|---|
| Demetrious Johnson criticizes Aljamain Sterling’s clinch game ahead of UFC 292 |
| Johnson believes Sterling’s weakness lies in his lack of skills in the clinch |
| Sterling made an unexpected proposition to Johnson to fight him |
| Johnson dismisses Sterling’s offer and expresses confidence in his ability to dominate in the clinch |
