NEWARK, NJ — Dana White says he never gets into a fight on the night of an event, but Saturday was an exception.
After the conclusion of UFC 288 and the showdown between champion Aljamain Sterling and next title challenger Sean O’Malley, White provided a few more details about the promotion plan.
“Yeah, maybe in August,” White said, as for a schedule.
During the broadcast of UFC 288, commentator Jon Anik mentioned that UFC 292 was targeted for August 19 in Boston, a location White has said repeatedly in recent weeks will be the summer promotion’s agenda.
“Probably,” White said when asked if Boston would land the next bantamweight title fight.
Immediately after Saturday’s fight, Sterling indicated he was looking for a September comeback. When informed of white’s comments when she broke up during an interview with TSNSterling bitterly expressed his disappointment in another battle on the East Coast.
“That’s news to me,” Sterling said. “I don’t want to go to Boston. … Dana, I’ve been trying to fight in T-Mobile because God knows how long. I want to fight in Vegas. I want to fight in Vegas where it’s nice and hot and go to a pool party. Boston is a great place.” But I want to go back to the West Coast.
“…would be a favourite. Probably a favourite, there. I know there’s a big Irish crowd out there. Whatever. It’s what it is.”
Aljamain Sterling has learned that the UFC is targeting his match against Sean O’Malley for August in Boston pic.twitter.com/p5VEi2Ozfl
– Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) May 7, 2023
Sterling, 33, is riding a nine-game winning streak in the match. After a controversial title win over Peter Yan by disqualification, he defeated Sterling Yan again before winning by stoppage over TJ Dillashaw and split decision on Saturday over Cejudo.
O’Malley, 28, has not competed since his October victory over Petr Yan and is awaiting his first UFC title challenge. It’s 4-0 with no contest in its last five games. 12 of his 16 professional victories have come from close range.
For more information on the card, visit the MMA Junkie Event Center for UFC 288.