The UFC’s next bantamweight title matchup has a new date.
Champion Aljamain Sterling will seek his second title defense against T.J. Dillashaw at UFC 280 on Oct. 22. The fight was previously planned for Sept. 10, but some changed to the schedule pushed the contest back.
MMA Junkie verified with multiple people close to the situation that Sterling (17-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) and Dillashaw (21-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) have both verbally agreed to the contest following an initial report from ESPN. The people requested anonymity because the UFC has yet to officials announce.
UFC 280 takes place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims expected on ESPN and ESPN+.
Sterling, 32, has won seven-straight fights including two victories over former champion Petr Yan. After Sterling won the belt by disqualification a UFC 258 in March 2021, he faced criticism and hate from an onslaught of fans for the way in which he won the title. After a neck surgery and recovery, Sterling returned at UFC 273 and defeated Yan by split decision.
Other victories during his current streak include Cory Sandhagen, Pedro Munhoz, Jimmie Rivera, Cody Stamann, and Brett Johns.
Dillashaw, 36, publicly stated since his win over Sandhagen in July 2021 that he was promised a title shot. That victory came by split decision in his first fight since a two-year USADA suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. During the Sandhagen fight, Dillashaw injured his knee. He underwent knee surgery that kept him out of full-on training until recent months.
With the addition, the UFC 280 lineup includes:
- Charles Oliveira vs. Islam Makhachev – for vacant lightweight title
- Aljamain Sterling vs. T.J. Dillashaw – for bantamweight title
- Sean Brady vs. Belal Muhammad
- Sean O’Malley vs. Petr Yan
