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Report: Sterling out of UFC 267 rematch vs. Yan

Jeff Bottari / UFC / Getty

UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling has pulled out of his rematch with Petr Yan at UFC 267 due to injury, sources told MMA Junkie's Mike Bohn and Nolan King.

Sterling is dealing with lingering issues neck issues, according to MMA Fighting's Mike and Damon Martin.

A replacement for Sterling has not been set, but there is hope that an interim title fight could take place in the co-main event, MMA Junkie reports. Corey Sandhagen is considered the front-runner to square off against Yan, per MMA Fighting.

Sterling - who initially won the 135-pound championship via disqualification following Yan's illegal knee strike during the fourth round of their UFC 259 bout - is currently riding a six-fight win streak.

The "Funk Master" was set to make his return to the Octagon after undergoing neck surgery in April.

The March loss ended Yan's 10-fight win streak, which included signature triumphs over Jose Aldo and Urijah Faber.

A light heavyweight title match between Jan Blachowicz and Glover Teixeira is the scheduled headliner for UFC 267.

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