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Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling Rescheduled For UFC 259, More News | Fight Announcement Roundup

MMA Paige
Evan Wheeler Jan 8, 2021 5:00PM

The anticipated bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling has been rescheduled for UFC 259, and much, much more — Fightful has all the latest fight announcements in one article.

Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling bantamweight title fight set for UFC 259

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Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling have been rebooked to battle for the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 259 on March 6, reported first by MMAJunkie's Mike Bohn and Nolan King. ESPN also later confirmed the news, the pair was originally set to meet at UFC 256 but Yan pulled out due to personal reasons.

Yan is undefeated in the UFC, currently at 7-0 and coming off a bludgeoning win over Jose Aldo at UFC 250 where he won the bantamweight crown. Sterling has reeled off five straight wins to earn the shot against Yan, most recently defeating Cory Sandhagen via a first-round submission back at UFC 250.

BKFC announces Super Bowl weekend PPV, Paige VanZant headlines card

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championships have announced the promotion will hold an event on Super Bowl weekend that will be headlined by former UFC veteran Paige VanZant. The card will be on pay-per-view and takes place from Lakeland, Florida on February 5 with VanZant making her promotional debut in the main event against Britain Hart. The event titled "Knucklemania" will also feature Johnny Bedford vs. Dat Nguyen in the co-headliner and a featured bout between The Ultimate Fighter season one's Chris Leben and Quentin Henry.

Pedro Munhoz vs. Jimmie Rivera II rebooked for UFC 258

A bantamweight bout between contenders Pedro Munhoz and Jimmie Rivera has been moved from UFC Fight Island 8 on January 20 to UFC 258 on February 13. As reported by MMAFighting's Mike Heck and Guilherme Cruz, the pair will now rematch at a new date. The two originally met at UFC Fight Night 77 back in November 2015, where Rivera edged out a close split-decision over the Brazilian.

Joselyne Edwards steps in to face Wu Yanan at UFC Fight Island 7

UFC newcomer Joselyne Edwards will make her debut for the promotion facing Wu Yanan in a women's bantamweight bout at UFC Fight Island 7 on January 16. The UFC announced the matchup via a Chinese news affiliate PPSport.com, Edwards replaces Bethe Correira who had to withdraw from the fight due to appendicitis. Yanan is 1-2 in her short UFC run so far, most recently coming off a tough split-decision loss to Mizuki Inoue at UFC Fight Night 157 in August of 2019. Edwards is 9-2 overall as a pro and the Panamanian native is coming off a 28-second knockout win over Pamela Gonzalez at UWC 22 back in July of 2020.

Belal Muhammad announces next fight against Dhiego Lima at UFC 258

UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad announced that his fight with Dhiego Lima has been rebooked for UFC 258 on February 13. Muhammad made the announcement on his podcast "Remember The Show" with Jason Anik, saying the contract is signed for the bout. The pair was initially set to go at it on December 19, 2020 at UFC Vegas 17 but Muhammad contracted COVID-19 during fight week and the fight was canceled.

Muhammad is 7-1 in his last eight fights most recently beating Lyman Good by a unanimous decision at UFC Vegas 3. Lima is surging himself, currently riding a three-fight win streak with victories over Luke Jumeau, Court McGee, and Chad Laprise.

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