Sterling Disputes Reports of Sandhagen Fight, ‘Especially With All This Chaos Happening’

On Monday evening, multiple outlets reported that a bantamweight clash between Aljamain Sterling and Cory Sandhagen has been targeted for UFC San Diego on May 16.

Sterling says it simply isn’t true. The UFC’s upcoming schedule is completely tentative due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and the 30-year-old New York native is fine with waiting until things settle down before accepting a bout.

“We’ve spoken about a few different opponents. As far as I know there is no fight announcement. Especially with all this chaos happening,” Sterling wrote on Twitter.

“I don’t even have access to my gym anymore. It’s been a complete ban for everyone and you guys think I’m taking a fight? Yea, ok.”

We’ve spoken about a few different opponents. As far as I know there is no fight announcement. Especially with all this chaos happening

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 24, 2020

I don’t even have access to my gym anymore. It’s been a complete ban for everyone and you guys think I’m taking a fight? Yea, ok.

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 24, 2020

The Las Vegas-based promotion has not made any official announcements regarding Sterling vs. Sandhagen. However, UFC president Dana White has been adamant that UFC 249 will take place at an as-yet-to-be-announced venue on April 18 and that all postponed fights will be rescheduled later in the year. It is unclear if the company is planning UFC 249 as a one-off or if it expects to resume its schedule from that point on.

Sterling addressed the difficulties of preparing for a fight when athletes don’t have access to the type of training they normally would.

“There’s only so much shadow boxing, and running you can do to prep for a fight, [in my opinion.] And I’ve seen a training camp with no sparring before, reap the rewards of a KO!” he wrote.

“I’m not blessed w/a home gym, weights, or mats. I’m OK with waiting.”

Yea, we have someone on that card too. There’s only so much shadow boxing, and running you can do to prep for a fight, IMO.
And I’ve seen a training camp with no sparring before, reap the rewards of a KO!
I’m not blessed w/a home gym, weights, or mats. I’m ok with waiting https://t.co/nmwbpnhi3d

— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 24, 2020