UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will undergo surgery for a neck issue he has been dealing with for nearly a decade and hopes to return to action before the end of the year, ESPN reported.
American Sterling became the first UFC fighter to be crowned champion via disqualification when Petr Yan lost due to an illegal knee in the bantamweight title bout last month.
Yan appeared to ask his corner before kneeing the downed Sterling in the fourth round. Sterling was unable to continue and Yan was disqualified, losing his title.
ESPN said that UFC was keen to book a rematch between Yan and Sterling as soon as possible.
Physicians “told me I will heal in three months a…
Keep on reading: UFC champ Aljamain Sterling to undergo neck surgery