As the anticipation builds for UFC 292’s main event showdown at TD Garden in Boston, notable MMA coach Tim Welch has expressed skepticism about Aljamain Sterling’s potential success in moving up a weight class to challenge featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski.

Set to headline the main card on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and ESPN+, the bantamweight champion Sterling (23-3 MMA, 15-3 UFC) is slated to defend his title against Tim Welch’s star pupil, Sean O’Malley. The stakes are high for both fighters, as Sterling has publicly declared his intention to conquer O’Malley before embarking on a bold journey up the ranks to challenge the highly-regarded featherweight champion Volkanovski (26-2 MMA, 13-1 UFC).

Despite Sterling’s confidence and strategic vision, Tim Welch, renowned for his astute MMA insights, has voiced concerns about the potential outcome of such a move. In an interview with Submission Radio, Welch offered his candid perspective, asserting that he believes Volkanovski is “pound-for-pound the best fighter on earth right now.”

Welch elaborated, stating, “As good as Aljo is, as strong as he is, as good of a grappler as he is, I think Volkanovski would batter Aljo.” The coach’s assessment reflects the formidable reputation that Volkanovski has garnered in the world of mixed martial arts.

Yet, while Welch’s analysis is cautious, he does not undermine Sterling’s capabilities. In fact, just like O’Malley, Welch acknowledges Sterling’s prominence within the bantamweight division. Ahead of the high-stakes encounter, Welch hailed Sterling, stating, “I really do think he’s the greatest bantamweight of all time.” He elaborated on this assertion by citing Sterling’s remarkable record, particularly highlighting his triumphs over formidable opponents.

Welch’s praise extended to Sterling’s victories over notable fighters like Cory Sandhagen and Henry Cejudo. He pointed out, “And how good Cory Sandhagen is. He’s so good skilled, and Aljo took him out under a minute. And then how big of a beast and how confident Henry Cejudo is. Explosive boxer, Olympic champion, just a beast of an athlete and one of the best competitors out there. And then Aljo beats him also.”

In light of Sterling’s accomplishments, Welch contends that it’s “pretty easy to say Aljo is the best bantamweight there’s ever been right now.” As the impending clash between Sterling and O’Malley approaches, the MMA world watches with bated breath, eager to witness whether Sterling’s aspirations and Welch’s insights align or diverge in the unfolding narrative of UFC 292.