Sometimes you see UFC fights fall apart due to injury or drug test failures, and the replacement opponent represents an arguable upgrade in fight quality. It’s fair to say that this is a textbook example of such a scenario.
Earlier this month, bantamweight veteran Rani Yahya withdrew from his December 9th matchup vs. top-10 contender Aljamain Sterling, leaving the New Yorker without an opponent just a few weeks out from fight night. Have no fear, for Marlon Moraes is here! MMAjunkie first reported on Friday that Moraes has agreed to fight Sterling on short notice, and while Sterling has announced the matchup on Twitter, the UFC has not yet made it official.