The UFC Fight Night 102 card in Albany, New York on Friday, December 9th has suffered a double blow with the news that both Aljamain Sterling and Tatiana Suarez have been forced out due to injuries.
Currently ranked No.8 at bantamweight, Sterling had been set to fight Raphael Assuncao on the main card of the show, but an undisclosed health issue resulted in him pulling out.
Sterling has since taken to social media to assure fans that he’s ok, though he didn’t detail the exact reason for his withdrawal.
“Ok, thanks for the genuine concerns, but I want to assure you all that I’m alright!” Sterling wrote on Facebook. 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. Very disappoint 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.
Much love,
Aljo”
Meanwhile, TUF 23 winner Tatiana Suarez will no longer be fighting Juliana Lima on the card, though again the nature of her injury has so far not been disclosed.
However, the 25 year-old assured a fan on Twitter after the news broke that, “It’s ok, I’ll be back soon.”
Two weeks out from the event, UFC officials are believed to be seeking late replacement opponents for Assuncao and Lima to keep them on the card, which airs exclusively on the UFC Fight Pass subscription service and will be headlined by a heavyweight fight between Derrick ‘The Black Beast’ Lewis and Shamil Abdurakhimov.
