Sterling (second from the left) and Yan (far right) (image via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Apparently, there’s been talk that Aljamain Sterling could be sidelined for the remainder of 2021, on account of pending neck surgery. But, the new champion insists that’s not the case.

Sterling has decided to undergo surgery to resolve the long-term issues he’s had with his neck. The decision comes after the 31-year-old won the bantamweight title last month at UFC 259.

Now former champion Petr Yan was disqualified in the fight, after he hit Sterling with an illegal knee.

Recently Sterling (20-3) discussed his upcoming surgery on The Weekly Scraps podcast. While doing so, the New York fighter said this (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“It’s not going to be nine months. I don’t know why people keep saying that, who keeps spreading these lies,” Sterling said. “But it’s like the UFC has a mole that just tells stuff that they don’t know is actually true. I’m not doing the fusion. I’m not going to be out for nine months. I’m probably going to be fighting around August, September, October. We’ll see how well my body takes and how good of a shape I can get in. Obviously the more time the better but I can ease my way into it.”

“I really want to smack this Muppet. I really do. But I’ve got to be smart about it.”

Sterling is expected to fight Yan (15-2) in an immediate rematch when he’s ready to return.