According to UFC bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling, he does not have an upcoming fight on the books.
Despite multiple reports Monday about a booking with Cory Sandhagen being in the works for UFC on ESPN+ 33 in San Diego, Sterling (18-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) denied the matchup Tuesday.
“We’ve spoken about a few different opponents,” Sterling wrote on Twitter. “As far as I know there is no fight announcement. Especially with all this chaos happening”
Additionally, in a second tweet, Sterling pointed out he no longer has access to his gym and indicated he won’t be taking a fight unless that changes.
“I don’t even have access to my gym anymore,” Sterling wrote. “It’s been a complete ban for everyone and you guys think I’m taking a fight? Yea, ok”
Multiple people with knowledge of the situation backed Sterling’s take and told MMA Junkie the fight with Sandhagen hit a standstill earlier this month. Both location and opponent are still up in the air.
In a third tweet, Sterling said he’s “ok with waiting” until things return back to normal before taking a fight.
One of the top 135-pound fighters in the world, Sterling hasn’t competed since July 2019. He’s riding a four-fight winning streak and has been victorious in six of his last seven bouts. His only loss came against Marlon Moraes at UFC Fight Night 123 in December 2017.
Check out Sterling’s tweets below:
Has to be the biggest troll or just a complete dodo bird.
“shOulD bE aBlE tO fIte ANytiMe”https://t.co/acaWPz6aJ6
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 24, 2020
Aljamain Sterling denies Cory Sandhagen matchup: 'As far as I know there is no fight announcement'
