UFC president Dana White said the promotion will introduce an interim bantamweight belt if current champion Aljamain Sterling fails to show up at UFC 292.
As a reminder, Sterling previously said that he still suffers from several injuries from his latest fights, so he is not sure he will be able to fight on August 19 against Sean O'Malley.
I’m not the one that went out and said, ‘If my body holds up,’ when I’m promoting a fight. If you're not healthy, don't take the fight. We'll have somebody else fight. We'll do somebody else for the interim title.
Dana White for FanSided MMA
Sterling, 33, last stepped into the Octagon against Henry Cejudo on May 7 at UFC 288. That fight lasted the entire distance and ended in favor of Aljamain by split decision. He has 23 wins and three losses under his belt.