Gallery Aljamain Sterling def. Pedro Munhoz at UFC 238: Best photos view 9 images

Petr Yan is determined to be the undisputed UFC bantamweight champion. However, if one more step is required before that happens, he and his team are willing to take it.

With a perfect octagon record, Yan (13-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) believes he is the rightful top contender at 135 pounds. Unfortunately, Henry Cejudo (15-2 MMA, 9-2 UFC) won’t be defending his title anytime in the near future after the divisional kingpin underwent shoulder surgery on Wednesday.

Although a December return hasn’t been completely ruled out, it’s likely Cejudo won’t compete again until 2020. Yan believes that creates a scenario where an interim title could be justified, and with fellow contender Aljamain Sterling (18-3 MMA, 10-3 UFC) claiming he deserves the shot, as well, bringing them together could be the right move.

“At this point, Petr has fought five times, five wins, in under 12 months,” Yan manager, Daniel Rubenstein, told MMA Junkie. “No one has ever done that in the bantamweight division of the UFC. I feel Petr has earned his title shot at Henry, but with Henry being out for the rest of the year, if the UFC wants to do an interim title vs. Sterling, Petr is more than happy to oblige.”

Yan, No. 5 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie MMA bantamweight rankings, has won eight consecutive fights since his lone career blemish in March 2016. He made his octagon debut in June 2018, and has competed five times since, as Rubenstein pointed out.

The Russian has had a quick climb into relevance, and clearly has no intention of slowing down. He made it obvious he wants the fight with Sterling, and he said he’d like to do it on home soil (via Twitter):

If Cejudo will defend his flyweight title next, I can fight @FunkMaster_UFC for the interim belt in the main event of UFC Moscow in November. Anyone else like this idea? @danawhite @seanshelby — Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) June 13, 2019

With Cejudo out with injury, this fight makes even more sense https://t.co/L8rSJccyBI — Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) June 20, 2019

Sterling, No. 4 in the latest rankings, doesn’t appear entirely opposed to the idea. “The Funkmaster” wanted his shot at the belt after beating Pedro Munhoz at UFC 238 this month, but No. 1-ranked Cejudo’s injury and recovery timeline alters the future.

Whether the UFC feels an interim title is necessary in Cejudo’s absence remains to be seen, but Sterling said he’d sign on if offered (via Twitter):

With Cejudo out with injury, this fight makes even more sense https://t.co/L8rSJccyBI — Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) June 20, 2019

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