Aljamain Sterling Set to Defend UFC Bantamweight title vs. TJ Dillashaw at UFC 280

Days after the UFC announced the main event for UFC 280, we now know what will potentially be the co-main event of the Abu Dhabi event.

A person with knowledge of the situation released the news on Tuesday. The person asked to remain anonymous. MMA reporter Ariel Helwani was the first to report on Spotify Live.

UFC Bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is reportedly set to make his 2nd defense as champion in his first reign. He recently defended it against Petr Yan by decision.

The fight was recently taken off the card for UFC 279 which is now verbally agreed to be headlined by the undefeated Khamzat Chimaev vs. Nate Diaz.

UFC 281 in November is not in play, as Sterling cannot get licensed in the state of New York for medical reasons. UFC 282 is expected to take place in December in Las Vegas.

While bout agreements were issued to both fighters for UFC 279, the process faced a holdup as Sterling hopes for escalator pay, an attribute usually found in UFC contracts, where fighters get a smaller, mid-contract pay bump after each promotional appearance.

Neither Sterling nor Dillashaw have commented on the rescinded offer at the time of publication.

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