UFC 292: Sterling vs O’Malley Odds, Picks & Predictions
By Robert Duff in Mixed Martial Arts News
Published:
- The UFC 292 odds feature two world title bouts on Saturday, August 19th
- Champion Aljamain Sterling and Sean O’Malley do battle for the UFC bantamweight title
- Weili Zhang defends her women’s strawweight belt against Amanda Lemos
The main-event underdog in the UFC 292 odds, Sean O’Malley is wearing a hairstyle similar to a clown’s wig, which seems appropriate. The clown prince of MMA is finally getting a chance to be king of the cage. Will he leave wearing the crown, or more accurately, a world title belt?
Not if the oddsmakers are correct. They’re setting UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling as the -240 favorite to retain his title in this bout against O’Malley.
In the co-main event, Weili Zhang is the heavy -320 chalk to retain her UFC women’s strawweight title against Amanda Lemos. On the undercard, former UFC middleweight champ Chris Weidman faces Brad Tavares as a +210 underdog. It’s Weidman’s first appearance in the octagon since fracturing his right tibia and fibula in a 2021 bout against Uriah Hall.
All of the action gets underway at 6:30pm eastern time on Saturday, August 19 with the prelims airing on ESPN. Taking place at the TD Garden in Boston, UFC 292 marks the first visit of the promotion to Beantown since 2019.
UFC 292: O’Malley vs Sterling 2 Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Aljamain Sterling | -240 |
| Sean O’Malley | +200 |
| Fighter | Odds |
| Weili Zhang | -320 |
| Amanda Lemos | +250 |
| Fighter | Odds |
| Ian Garry | -490 |
| Neil Magny | +370 |
| Fighter | Odds |
| Mario Bautista | -220 |
| Da’Mon Blackshear | +180 |
| Fighter | Odds |
| Marlon Vera | -200 |
| Pedro Munhoz | +170 |
| Fighter | Odds |
| Brad Tavares | -260 |
| Chris Weidman | +210 |
| Fighter | Odds |
| Gregory Rodrigues | -350 |
| Denis Tiuliulin | +275 |
| Fighter | Odds |
| Austin Hubbard | -175 |
| Kurt Holobuagh | +150 |
| Fighter | Odds |
| Andre Petroski | -220 |
| Gerard Meerschaert | +180 |
| Fighter | Odds |
| Natalia Silva | -330 |
| Andrea Lee | +260 |
| Fighter | Odds |
| Maryna Moroz | +125 |
| Karine Silva | -150 |
Sterling is among nine fighters on the UFC 292 card who are favorites of -200 or shorter. Unbeaten Ian Garry (-490) is the heaviest chalk as he faces Neil Magny in a welterweight bout.
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Odds as of August 18th at Caesars. Use the Caesars Sportsbook promo code to wager on UFC 292.
O’Malley vs Sterling 2 Odds & Predictions
Rated #6 in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings, Sterling is riding a nine-bout win streak. Overall, he’s 23-3. Sterling is the UFC record holder for most wins (15), most consecutive wins (9) and most consecutive titles defenses (3) in the bantamweight division.
The war of words ends SATURDAY 🏆🔥@funkmasterMMA vs @SugaSeanMMA for the world bantamweight title at #UFC292!!
[ Live on ESPN+ PPV: https://t.co/wE9PL5aRTn ] pic.twitter.com/zw0kIevci2— UFC (@ufc) August 17, 2023
There’s a lot to like about O’Malley’s style in the octagon. He owns the highest significant strike accuracy (60.9), strikes landed (7.47) and significant strike differential (4.04) in the history of the UFC bantamweight division. Three times he’s won fight of the night and has delivered the performance of the night on four occasions. He’s 16-1-1 during his career.
| 28 | Age | 34 |
| 5’11 | Height | 5’7 |
| 72″ | Reach | 71″ |
| 12 | Career Finishes | 11 |
But he also has struggled to get out of his own way en route to seeking a world title. In 2019, he served a six-month drug suspension after testing positive for the banned substance ostarine. A year later, he lost to Marlon Vera at UFC 252. A 2022 bout with Pedro Munhoz was declared a no contest after O’Malley accidentally poked Munhoz in the eye, rendering him unable to continue.
Five of O’Malley’s last six victories have come via knockout and Sterling simply doesn’t get knocked out. He’s suffered one KO defeat during his career. Sterling’s awkward and unconventional style makes him difficult to strike and tends to frustrate opponents. Look for Sterling to take advantage of his sizable edge in grappling ability to seize this one via decision.
O’Malley vs Sterling Pick: Aljamain Sterling to win by decision (+230).
Zhang vs Lemos Prediction
Perhaps the worst thing going for Lemos as she’s enters this bout is that her name isn’t Rose Namajunas. Namjunas is the only fighter since 2013 to defeat Zhang. She dethroned her Chinese opponent as UFC strawweight champion in 2021 and successfully defended the title later in the year.
Zhang beat Carla Esparza last year in her previous fight to regain the belt. She’s 23-3 all-time, with 11 wins by knockout and eight via submission.
Reminder: Weili Zhang fights this weekend at UFC 292 pic.twitter.com/UHy2c7TxDl
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) August 16, 2023
Getting her first title shot, Lemos (13-3) won’t be a pushover. She’s 7-1 in her last eight bouts. Lemos strikes with authority and is always a knockout threat. However, Zhang’s overall toolbox is stocked with many more weapons, providing her with more paths to victory. On top of that, she’s the better athlete. Look for her to win a close decision.
Zhang vs Lemos Picks: Weili Zhang by decision (+320); Fight to go the distance (+240).
Other UFC 292 Best Bets
- Marlon Vera over Pedro Munhoz (-200). Munhoz is 2-4-1 in his last seven fights, while Vera has a win over O’Malley on his card
- Ian Garry to defeat Neil Magny (-490). Rising star Garry is 12-0 in his career
- Caesars odds boost: Brad Tavares, Gregory Rodrigues, Kurt Holobaugh and Andre Petroski all win (+575)
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Sports Writer
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
