The rematch between UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and former titleholder Petr Yan is finally set.
After weeks of the two parties eagerly awaiting paperwork from the UFC, the pens have hit paper, and Sterling (20-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) vs. Yan (15-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) 2 will go down at UFC 267 on Oct. 30 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The event is expected to air on ABC.
Two people with knowledge of the situation confirmed the booking Saturday to MMA Junkie but asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Sterling and Yan first competed against one another at UFC 259 in March. Their title fight garnered much attention – and controversy – for the fashion in which it ended. As the clock ticked away in Round 4, Yan landed a brutal knee to the head of Sterling while he was a downed opponent.
A timeout was called, but Sterling was deemed unable to continue. Referee Mark Smith disqualified Yan for the illegal blow, and Sterling was awarded the UFC bantamweight title.
In the months since, Sterling has been called a fake champion by Yan and others for the manner in which he won. The trash talk has been abundant. While initially hesitant to wear the belt, Sterling has since leaned into the criticism.
Sterling, 32, underwent an artificial disc replacement procedure in April, which delayed the promotion’s plans to turn the fight around as quickly as possible. He has since been cleared and is ready to fight.
With the addition, the UFC 267 lineup now includes:
- Champ Jan Blachowicz vs. Glover Teixeira – for light heavyweight title
- Champ Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan – for bantamweight title
- Virna Jandiroba vs. Amanda Ribas
- Khamzat Chimaev vs. Li Jingliang
- Shamil Gamzatov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
- Walt Harris vs. Tai Tuivasa
- Rafael dos Anjos vs. Islam Makhachev
- Allan Nascimento vs. Tagir Ulanbekov
- Marcin Tybura vs. Alexander Volkov
- Ricardo Ramos vs. Zubaira Tukhugov
- Makwan Amirkhani vs. Tristan Connelly
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