Unable to find a new opponent after an injury to Frankie Saenz, Aljamain Sterling has been removed from the UFC FIGHT PASS event in Sydney, Australia next week, Nov. 8.
The UFC were unable to find a new bantamweight opponent for Sterling (10-0) due to time restrictions, after Frankie Saenz (9-2) was injured two weeks ago. The New York based prospect last fought back at UFC Fight Night 45 in July, scoring a TKO victory over Hugo Viana.
As stated on MMA Sucka, the UFC had a new opponent lined up for Sterling in the form of Michael Imperato (7-1) however he was cut from the organisation just 24 hours after this announcement, due to the revelation that he was involved in a racially related incident in the past.
Also, as we previously reported, Hawaii’s Louis Smolka (7-1) steps in for Seery to face Australia’s own Richie Vaculik (10-2). Smolka, nicknamed ‘Da Last Samurai’ makes his first appearance since a split decision loss in May to former 125lb title contender Chris Cariaso.
Updated UFC Fight Night 55 Card
Main card
Middleweight Luke Rockhold vs. Michael Bisping
Lightweight Ross Pearson vs. Al Iaquinta
Middleweight Robert Whittaker vs. Clint Hester
Heavyweight Soa Palelei vs. Walt Harris
Prelims
Lightweight Jake Matthews vs. Vagner Rocha
Light Heavyweight Anthony Perosh vs. Guto Inocente
Welterweight Dylan Andrews vs. Sam Alvey
Welterweight Vik Grujic vs. Chris Clements
Flyweight Richie Vaculik vs. Louis Smolka
Middleweight Luke Zachrich vs. Daniel Kelly
Bantamweight Jumabieke Tuerxun vs. Marcus Brimage