Aljamain Sterling vs. Rani Yahya added to UFC Fresno

Get the Full StoryBantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling will face BJJ specialist Rani Yahya at UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega in December. Fresh off the biggest win of his career, UFC bantamweight contender Aljamain Sterling will look to notch his third consecutive triumph on December 9th, as he takes on veteran Brazilian grappler Rani Yahya. UFC officials announced the matchup for its first ever trip to Fresno, California.

Sterling 14-2 has had a very busy 2017, with Yahya representing his fourth fight of the year. After suffering consecutive split decision losses to Bryan Caraway and Raphael Assuncao, Sterling got himself back on track with a unanimous decision win over Augusto Mendes in April. At UFC 214 in July, Sterling took on former bantamweight champion Renan Barao at a 140-pound catchweight, and the Funkmaster dominated the Brazilian in the final two rounds to earn another decision victory.

Yahya 24-9, 1 NC has fought twice this year, losing to Joe Soto by unanimous decision in March, only to bounce back by submitting Henry Briones with a kimura in August. The jiu-jitsu black belt has won five of his last six, but is currently unranked at 135-pounds, whereas Sterling is #7.

UFC Fresno is headlined by a featherweight bout between Cub Swanson and Brian Ortega. The main card airs live on Fox Sports 1, with a special early start time for 9 PM ET 6 PM PT.

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