While it would be easy to assume Petr Yan is planning to immediately call out Aljamain Sterling if victorious at UFC 267 , the former bantamweight champ said that’s not the case. “Sterling needs the rematch to prove that he can do something,” Yan told reporters through an interpreter at Wednesday’s UFC 267 media day. “For me, I’m not interested in the rematch if I win the belt this Saturday.” Yan (15-2 MMA, 7-1 UFC) and Cory Sandhagen (14-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC) meet in the co-main event of Saturday’s card, which steams live on ESPN+ from Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. With reigning champion Sterling (20-3 MMA, 12-3 UFC) sidelined while recovering from neck surgery , Yan and Sandhagen meet for an interim title. While the circumstances of the bout aren’t necessarily ideal, it’s an intriguing matchup stylistically. Oddsmakers have Yan pegged as a sizable favorite , but he insists Sandhagen isn’t to be taken lightly
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Petr Yan: Aljamain Sterling is the one who needs rematch, but ‘I’m not interested’ – MMA Junkie