Raphael Assuncao (photo via UFC.com)

By FCF Staff

Following Aljamain Sterling’s withdrawal from UFC FN 102, Raphael Assuncao has reportedly decided to wait for the bantamweight to return, rather than face another opponent.

The bantamweight contenders were scheduled to meet at the December 9th card in Albany, but Sterling had to drop out due to injury. Recently the UFC announced that Assuncao wants to wait and face Sterling at a later date, and as a result, he will not compete.

Assuncao is currently ranked #3 in the UFC’s 135 division, and Sterling is #8.

UFC FN 102 will be headlined by a bout between heavyweights Derrick Lewis and Shamil Abdurakhimov.