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Petr Yan vs Cory Sandhagen is expected to be the new co-main event next month at UFC 267.
MMAJunkie, via anonymous sources, was first to report the news of the matchup that will replace the originally scheduled bantamweight title fight between Yan and current champion Aljamain Sterling. The outlet notes that no official bout agreements have been signed for the matchup on Oct. 30 in Abu Dhabi, however, both sides have agreed to the terms of the deal, which includes the fight being for interim gold.
Petr Yan vs Cory Sandhagen new UFC 267 co-main event
On Saturday, the rematch between the new and former champion was scrapped after the news of Sterling removing himself from the card due to lingering issues with the neck injury he had surgically repaired following his disqualification title victory in March. It is an injury that he claims has been an ongoing problem for several years.
Following the news of the fight being off, Yan spoke with RT Sport and called the New York native a “sneaky coward” who was just looking for a way out of the fight. As well as calling to face any top-10 bantamweight that “deserves” to fight for the belt.
“You all know what’s just happened to my fight. You all know that ‘Aljo’ just ran away like a sneaky coward,” Yan said. “Here is what I would like to say: I am not going to sit and wait for him. I am going to fight on Oct. 30 in Abu Dhabi, and I would like to address the UFC. UFC, give me any fighter. Top five, top seven, top 10, anyone who deserves to fight for the belt, and I will get the job done. I’ll show you here who really is champ.”
The third-ranked Sandhagen (14-3) is a fitting choice for the unexpected opportunity. In July, “The Sandman” lost a razor thin split decision to second-ranked, former two-time champion TJ Dillashaw, in a fight many felt he was victorious in. Dillashaw is currently recuperating from recent knee surgery and is unavailable for the booking. Likewise for fourth-ranked talent Rob Font. Allowing Sandhagen to step into a championship opportunity despite coming off of defeat.
Yan (15-2), has not fought since his DQ loss to Sterling at UFC 259. The fight left a bad taste in the fighter’s and fans’ mouths after the Russian scored an illegal knee to a downed “Funkmaster” in the fourth round, of a fight that the “No Mercy” was winning handily.
UFC 267 is set to take place on Oct. 30 inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The main card pay-per-view will air exclusively on ESPN+ at 10 pm ET. The event is headlined by a light heavyweight title bout between ageless wonder Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira.
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