Petr Yan reveals the UFC has ‘different plans’ than Aljamain Sterling title fight
Petr Yan’s first title defense might not come against Aljamain Sterling after all.
Ever since Sterling submitted Cory Sandhagen in the first round at UFC 250, many thought he was the number one contender. Yet, months have gone by since Petr Yan won the vacant belt and with Marlon Moraes fighting Sandhagen this Saturday, the Russian has revealed the UFC has different plans than the Sterling title fight.
I heard UFC have different plans, hold up is not from my side. You should be worried @funkmasterMMA 😆 https://t.co/8Lf5mCoZBZ
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) October 6, 2020
“I heard UFC have different plans, hold up is not from my side. You should be worried @funkmasterMMA (Aljamain Sterling),” Yan wrote on Twitter.
Immediately, many fans thought the different option would be Moraes if he wins on Saturday night. Moraes holds a win over Sterling and was scheduled to face the Russian this year. Yet, another option that makes sense is TJ Dillashaw who returns from suspension in January. So, for Sterling, it is no doubt disappointing news.
Petr Yan is coming off a TKO win at UFC 251 over Jose Aldo to win the vacant title. The victory extended his winning streak to 10. He’s also 7-0 inside the Octagon with notable wins over Urijah Faber, John Dodson, and Jimmie Rivera. The Russian also appears ready to defend his belt but it has yet to be determined who his first title defense will come against.
Aljamain Sterling, meanwhile, is on a five-fight winning streak and coming off the submission win over Cory Sandhagen. During this run, he also has wins over Pedro Munhoz, Cody Stamann, Jimmie Rivera, and Brett Johns.
There is no question Sterling should be the number one contender but Dana White has been reluctant to say that. After Yan’s tweet, perhaps it won’t be Aljo getting the next shot after all, despite many saying he should be fighting for the belt.
For now, it is a wait and see approach to see what the UFC does with the stacked bantamweight division.
