Aljamain Sterling will face another Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist in 2017.
Coming off decision wins over Augusto Mendes and Renan Barao, “Funk Master” is slated to take on Rani Yahya at the UFC Fresno card on Dec. 9, the promotion announced Tuesday.
Yahya (24-9, 1 no-contest) is one of the best grapplers in the bantamweight division, and returns to the cage four months after submitting Enrique Briones. Yahya has only lost one bout since cutting back down to 135 pounds in 2014.
Sterling (14-2) will face a Brazilian opponent for the forth in a row. Prior to his wins over Mendes and Barao, Sterling lost a decision to Raphael Assuncao. Sterling holds a 6-2 UFC record with three stoppage wins.
UFC Fight Night 123 takes place at the SaveMart Center in Fresno, Calif., and features Cub Swanson vs. Brian Ortega in the main event.
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