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Aljamain Sterling reportedly pulls out of UFC 267 due to injury

The rematch between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan is being put on hold. Sterling reportedly pulled out of UFC 267 due to an injury, according to MMA Junkie.

It was set to be the second fight between Sterling and Yan this year. The two fought in March, with Sterling winning after Yan was disqualified due to an illegal knee to Sterling's head. Yan was leading the fight on two scorecards at the time of the disqualification. The bout resulted in Yan losing the bantamweight title.

A rematch was quickly scheduled, but Sterling put it on hold after having neck surgery. Sterling was supposed to be cleared by October. It's unclear whether he sustained a setback or if he felt he did not have enough time to properly prepare for another fight with Yan. The rematch was set to take place Oct. 30.

Petr Yan still hoping to fight at UFC 267

Sterling is reportedly off the card, but Yan still intends to fight. There are rumors Corey Sandhagen could replace Sterling in the fight, according to MMA Junkie, though that's not official.

Prior to the disqualification against Sterling, Yan had not lost a fight since 2016. Sandhagen has lost two of his past four fights, the most recent coming against T.J. Dillashaw in July.

Aljamain Sterling after fight against Petr Yan.
Aljamain Sterling reportedly pulled out of his fight against Petr Yan due to a neck injury. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)