UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is out of his title defense against Petr Yan at UFC 267. The bantamweight duo was set to headline the pay-per-view. But Sterling’s lingering neck issues have forced him out of the bout.
‘Funkmaster’ won the belt at UFC 259 when the former champion Yan landed an illegal knee on his opponent. The fight had to be stopped as Sterling was unable to continue. Although many believe Sterling might have won the fight by disqualification, he wasn’t truly the champion. Sterling had the chance to shut his haters up at UFC 267. But it seems like we will have to wait for that.
Aljamain Sterling is out of the Oct. 30 title rematch vs. Petr Yan, per @MikeHeck_JR and @DamonMartin. Lingering neck issues.
Plan is to do an interim title. Cory Sandhagen is the current frontrunner but nothing is done (remember, Dillashaw is coming off surgery.) Developing.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) September 25, 2021
The UFC is looking to do an interim title fight meanwhile. Cory Sandhagen is expected to take on Yan for the interim belt. TJ Dillashaw’s surgery meant the former champion, who just defeated Sandhagen via split decision, is now out of contention.
Is Cory Sandhagen vs Petr Yan the fight to make with Aljamain Sterling out?
With the champion out once again, the whole landscape of the bantamweight division has changed yet again. Sandhagen vs Yan looks set to happen next. Although ‘Sandman’ has lost his last fight against Dillashaw, it was a razor-close affair and Sandhagen could very well have been given the decision.
But, the wait for Yan just keeps getting longer. The Russian has been adamant about getting his belt back since losing it by disqualification. However, he is yet to get his hands on Sterling again. And now he will have a tough opponent in Sandhagen standing next to him. In hindsight, it’s great news for fans who will probably get to watch another epic fight in the bantamweight division.
Further details of Sterling’s problem and a possible date for his return are yet to be revealed. It will be interesting to see when he is eventually back in the Octagon to defend his belt.
What do make of the news? Let us know.
Also Read: Max Holloway to Return to UFC Action on November 13
The post BREAKING: Aljamain Sterling Out of UFC 267 Fight Against Petr Yan appeared first on EssentiallySports.
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