Aljamain Sterling vs T.J. Dillashaw reportedly set for UFC 279 in September
The next title defense for champion Aljamain Sterling will reportedly take place against T.J Dillashaw at UFC 279 in September.
The next title defense for UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is reportedly set and coming this fall. MMA Junkie’s Mike Bohn and Nolan King were first to report that Sterling is set to have his next title defense against T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 279 on September 10. While the fight has not made been made official by the UFC just yet, the event is currently without a location but the report from MMA Junkie states that both Boston, MA and Atlanta, GA are potential landing spots for the September PPV.
This will be the second title defense for Aljamain Sterling after he settled the score against former interim champion Petr Yan back at UFC 273 when he won by split-decision to defend his title for the first time. Sterling’s win at UFC 273 would mark his second consecutive win over Yan, who was disqualified at UFC 258 in 2021 when he landed an illegal knee to Sterling’s head, which led to “Funk Master” becoming champion, but needing to settle the score due to the controversy. After being sidelined for over a year due to neck surgery, Sterling would again defeat Yan to retain the title which was also his 7th consecutive victory.
After closing Aljamain Sterling closed the chapter on his rivalry with Yan, former bantamweight champion T.J Dillashaw did an interview where he claimed that the champion wouldn’t be champion for long, and the two engaged in a back-and-forth affair through social media. Dillashaw, the former two-time bantamweight champion returned from a two-year suspension in 2021 and won a split-decision over Cory Sandhagen in July of last year. With his championship history and win over one of the division’s top contenders, Dillashaw inserted himself into the title conversation and with the champion now looking for a new challenge, Dillashaw will get his chance.
Although there is currently no location set for UFC 279, it will take place on September 10 and these are the reported matchups that are scheduled for the event so far.
- Aljamain Sterling vs T.J. Dillashaw for UFC bantamweight championship
- Norma Dumont vs Danielle Wolf
- Hannah Cifers vs Melissa Martinez
- Victor Altamirano vs Daniel da Silva
