White says Sterling vs. Sandhagen winner will get title shot

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

A potential bantamweight title shot is on the lines when Aljamain Sterling and Cory Sandhagen meet at UFC 250

UFC president Dana White has said the winner of Aljamain Sterling vs. Cory Sandhagen this weekend at UFC 250 will get a bantamweight title shot.

Talking at the UFC 250 pre-fight media scrum, White agreed that the fight between Sterling and Sandhagen is a number one contender fight, and the winner will receive a shot at the 135-pound title.

This will be after Petr Yan and Jose Aldo fight for Henry Cejudo’s recently vacated belt, as White said he “may have prematurely announced” that fight but it will take place at some point. Yan is undefeated in the UFC and has won six straight at bantamweight, whilst Aldo has only fought once at 135-pounds and lost.

Sterling (18-3) enters his fight this weekend against Sandhagen on the back of four straight victories against some of the best in the division. Currently ranked second at bantamweight, “Funk Master” won consecutive decisions against Pedro Munhoz and Jimmie Rivera in 2019, and scored an impressive submission over Cody Stammann in September 2018.

Sandhagen (12-1) has been a breakout out star since making his UFC debut back in 2018, winning all five of his UFC appearances. “The Sandman” started his career off brightly with consecutive finishes against Austin Arnett and Iuri Alcântara. The 28-year-old had a successful 2019 winning decisions against John Lineker and Raphael Assuncao.

UFC 250 takes place this Saturday, June 6th, at the UFC’s Apex institute in Las Vegas. Sterling and Sandhagen’s bout will feature on the main card.