White: Sterling-Sandhagen winner will get title shot
Aljamain Sterling and Cory Sandhagen no longer have to wonder what's at stake heading into their bantamweight bout at UFC 250.
UFC president Dana White said Friday that the fight is "for sure" a title eliminator, meaning the winner will go on to challenge for the belt, according to MMA Weekly.
The bantamweight title was relinquished in May, with Henry Cejudo retiring from MMA after his UFC 249 win over Dominick Cruz. The promotion is targeting a vacant title bout between Petr Yan and Jose Aldo, but it has not been finalized.
No. 2-ranked Sterling has won four straight bouts, including decisions over Pedro Munhoz and Jimmie Rivera.
Sandhagen, ranked No. 4 in the division, is 5-0 in the UFC. The 28-year-old is coming off wins over longtime contender Raphael Assuncao and John Lineker.
UFC 250 will take place Saturday night at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Amanda Nunes will defend her women's featherweight title against Felicia Spencer in the main event.