June 15, 2022 11: 19 pm ET
Champion Aljamain Sterling (21-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) will behold his second title protection in opposition to T.J. Dillashaw (17-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC), with the bout within the within the period in-between centered for UFC 279 on Sept. 10.
Three folks with records of the scenario verified to MMA Junkie that contracts were issued for the matchup. The folks requested anonymity for the reason that promotion has yet to develop an legitimate announcement.
UFC 279 does now now not salvage an legitimate location or venue today, though sources now now not too prolonged within the past suggested MMA Junkie that Boston and Atlanta are in play.
Sterling, 32, has obtained seven-straight fights including two victories over ragged champion Petr Yan. After Sterling obtained the belt by disqualification a UFC 258 in March 2021, he faced criticism and hate from an onslaught of fans for the manner one day of which he obtained the title. After a neck surgery and recovery, Sterling returned at UFC 273 and defeated Yan by slash up decision.
Other victories one day of his fresh lunge include Cory Sandhagen, Pedro Munhoz, Jimmie Rivera, Cody Stamann, and Brett Johns.
Dillashaw, 36, publicly said since his salvage over Sandhagen in July 2021 that he was once promised a title shot. That victory came by slash up decision in his first fight since a two-twelve months USADA suspension for performance-enhancing pills. For the length of the Sandhagen fight, Dillashaw injured his knee. He underwent knee surgery that saved him out of plump-on practising unless fresh months.
With the addition, the UFC 279 lineup entails:
Champion Aljamain Sterling vs. T.J. Dillashaw – for bantamweight title
Norma Dumont vs. Danielle Wolf
Hannah Cifers vs. Melissa Martinez
Victor Altamirano vs. Daniel da Silva