John Lineker vs. Cory Sandhagen added to UFC on ESPN+ debut in Brooklyn

With UFC 233 canceled, and former champion Dominick Cruz sidelined with another injury, John Lineker has a new date and an opponent for his return to the Octagon.

“Hands of Stone” is set to take on Cory Sandhagen at the first UFC on ESPN+ card in Brooklyn, New York, on Jan. 19. Both fighters confirmed the match-up on social media following a report by ESPN.

Lineker (31-8) fought for the last time in May, stopping Brian Kelleher in the third-round of their bantamweight bout at UFC 224 in Rio de Janeiro. The Brazilian is 6-1 since moving up to bantamweight in 2015, with his only defeat coming by the hands of future champion T.J. Dillashaw.

Sandhagen (9-1) has looked impressive since joining the company earlier this year, knocking out Austin Arnett and experienced Brazilian veteran Iuri Alcantara. Sandhagen is riding a four-fight winning streak going into the biggest bout of his mixed martial arts career.

UFC’s first Fight Night card to air on ESPN+ takes place at the Barclays Center and features Dillashaw vs. Henry Cejudo for the flyweight belt in the main event.