Aljamain Sterling Injured; Out of UFC Fight Night 102 Clash vs. Raphael Assuncao

Aljamain Sterling has suffered an injury and has withdraw from a proposed bantamweight clash against Raphael Assuncao at UFC Fight Night Albany (online betting) in Albany, N.Y.

Sterling confirmed the news via Facebook on Wednesday. UFC Fight Night 102 takes place at the Times Union Center on Dec. 9 and is headlined by a heavyweight tilt pitting Derrick Lewis against Shamil Abdurakhimov. The card will stream in its entirety on UFC Fight Pass. The UFC is currently seeking a replacement opponent for Assuncao. MMAjunkie.com first brought word of Sterling’s injury.

“Ok, thanks for the genuine concerns, but I want to assure you all that I'm alright! Trying to do everything I can, to get on the closest card I can fight on. Things happen and my health was being looked after first. Thank you to the NYSAC and to the UFC for making sure I was safe and healthy first,” Sterling wrote. “Very [disappointed] to not fight in NY, but I expect things to be sorted out sooner than later. I'm in tremendous shape and mentally in a great place. I should have an update after the holidays. Happy Thanksgiving and enjoy the family you have, as everyone isn't fortunate to have some of their loved ones around.”

A native of Cortland, N.Y., Sterling suffered his first career defeat at UFC Fight Night 88 on May 29, when he lost a unanimous decision against Bryan Caraway. The Serra-Longo Fight Team representative had won his first 12 professional outings, including four victories in the Octagon.