Aljamain Sterling’s Targeting Cory Sandhagen Fight, Following Girlfriend’s Recovery From COVID-19

Not long ago, Aljamain Sterling made it clear he was not going to fight Cory Sandhagen in May, due to the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, Sterling cited the fact he would be unable to train properly, as a result of the pandemic.

More recently, however, Sterling and his girlfriend have revealed that she contracted the virus. The bantamweight contender has opened up about that situation, her recovery and his plans to still fight Sandhagen.

Sterling discusses his girlfriend’s fight with COVID-19

Back when there was talk about Sterling fighting Sandhagen on May 16th, the New York fighter didn’t disclose that his girlfriend, Rebecca Cruz, had contracted the virus.

While talking to MMA Fighting recently, Sterling had this to say while discussing the fact he never reported that information at the time.

“It wasn’t my story to tell so I didn’t want to talk about it until she was willing to talk about it,” Sterling said. “I told her if she does ever want to talk about it, she’s more than welcome to come on my podcast and talk about it.

She did and I think she was happy about it. She had a ton of messages. People that were in the same boat, they were scared and not really sure what to do. They were infected and they didn’t know if there was another side for them.

“So for people to see that someone they knew get out on the other side was a little bit of a confidence booster. Just a little bit more positive than the news we see about this person died, that person died.

You don’t hear that much about the people who are actually recovering. I think that was a good case to hear from.”

It’s good to see she’s recovered and healthy. Sterling hasn’t had any symptoms associated with the virus, but the fighter hasn’t been tested either.

“It’s almost impossible to get tested unless you’ve got an in with a doctor somewhere,” Sterling said. “For the most part, if you’re sick, they just tell you to go home, quarantine yourself, get lots of rest and drink lots of fluids.

There’s not much they can do for you. The only way you’re getting tested is if you’re on your death bed almost and you can make it to the hospital or you get pulled over from the E.R. from the ambulance or something.

That’s the only way you’re getting tested out here.

“I didn’t have any symptoms. I didn’t have a loss of smell. I didn’t have a loss of taste. I didn’t have shortness of breath or any of that. I’m fortunate.

I’m feeling good. I’m just ready to get back in the cage. It’s been almost 365 days come June. My last fight was June 8. So hopefully we can get it going sooner rather than later.”

Fight with Sandhagen?

Now it remains to be seen when and who Sterling will fight next. “The Funk Master” is still hoping, however, to throw hands with his fellow contender, Sandhagen.

“Someday in June. That’s what we both agreed to,” Sterling said. “One of those weekends in June we’re going to be making that walk in an empty arena and getting ready to throw down.

No location as of right now. I’m waiting to get a contract.

“Once I get a contract with an actual location and my opponent’s name, then it’s really real. Right now, I’m just training like I have a fight.”

That has the makings of a great fight if it happens. The 30-year-old Sterling (18-3) is coming off a decision win over Pedro Munhoz in June.