NEWARK, N.J. – Dana White says he doesn’t typically make fights the night of an event, but Saturday was an exception.
Following the conclusion of UFC 288 and the faceoff between champion Aljamain Sterling and next title challenger Sean O’Malley, White gave a few more details about the promotion’s plan.
“Yeah, probably August,” White said, as for a timeline.
During the UFC 288 broadcast, commentator Jon Anik mentioned UFC 292 as being targeted for Aug. 19 in Boston, a location White has repeatedly said in recent weeks will be the docket for the promotion’s summer schedule.
“Probably,” White said when asked if Boston would land the next bantamweight title fight.
Immediately after Saturday’s fight, Sterling indicated he was looking for a September return. When informed of White’s comments as they broke during an interview with TSN, Sterling lightheartedly expressed his disappointment in another east coast fight.
“That’s news to me,” Sterling said. “I don’t want to go to Boston. … Dana, I’ve been trying to fight at the T-Mobile for God knows how long. I want to fight in Vegas. I want to fight in Vegas where it’s nice and hot and go to a pool party. Boston is cool but I want to go back to the west coast.
“… He’s going to be a favorite. He’ll probably be a favorite over there. I know there’s a big Irish crowd over there. Whatever. It is what it is.”
Aljamain Sterling learns that the UFC is targetting his bout against Sean O’Malley for August in Boston pic.twitter.com/p5VEi2Ozfl
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 7, 2023
Sterling, 33, rides a nine-fight winning streak into the matchup. After a controversial title-clinching victory over Petr Yan by disqualification, Sterling defeated Yan again before a stoppage win over T.J. Dillashaw and Saturday’s split decision over Cejudo.
O’Malley, 28, has not competed since an October win over Petr Yan as he awaits his first UFC title challenge. He is 4-0 with one no contest in his most recent five outings. Twelve of his 16 professional wins have come inside the distance.
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 288.