UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling and former titleholder Petr Yan were keeping a close eye on Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 27 main event.
It was for good reason, because the headliner saw former divisional kingpin T.J. Dillashaw return to action for the first time in more than two years with a split decision win over Cory Sandhagen at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
It was pretty much universally agreed coming into the contest that the Dillashaw (17-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) vs. Sandhagen (14-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) winner would secure a title shot against the winner of the Sterling (20-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) vs. Yan (15-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) title rematch, which is reportedly expected to take place at UFC 266 on Oct. 30.
For that reason, the champion and next challenger had a vested interest in the fight, and Sterling had mixed thoughts over the duration of the 25 minutes before Dillashaw got his hand raised (via Twitter):
Everyone think it’s easy how I beat Sandhagen. You can’t make a mistake or those bony ass knees will hurt you or put you out!! #UFCVegas32
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 25, 2021
That chin is gone
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 25, 2021
I think TJ gets the nod. I do wonder if that early cut from the right hand was that cut he had earlier in training camp. #UFCVegas32
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 25, 2021
Yan, for his part, was much more poignant in his review. He heaped praise on Dillashaw for a gutsy effort over the course of five rounds, and predicted the pair will eventually see each other inside the octagon (via Twitter):
Respect to the warrior @TJDillashaw Beating you is always been my goal. This is my division now
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) July 25, 2021
For now, though, Dillashaw goes back to tend to his wounds. He said post-fight he won’t wait around forever for the Sterling vs. Yan winner to be ready, but is hopefully ready for his title fight in the first quarter of 2022.
Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan weigh in on T.J. Dillashaw’s return win at UFC on ESPN 27
