Report: Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling Removed From UFC 256 Card

Mandatory Credit: Jeff Bottari - Zuffa LLC

The promotion's final flagship event of the yeat continues to take hits - losing it's third scheduled undisputed title matchup. Slated for the December 12th. showcase, a bantamweight title match between reigning champion, Petr 'No Mercy' Yan, and perennial contender, Aljamain 'Funk Master' Sterling has reportedly been postponed.

Yan, who was set to attempt the premier defence of his 135-pound throne, has reportedly been forced to withdraw from the tie, due to "personal reasons." According to a report from MMA Fighting reporters, Damon Martin and Guilherme Cruz, the pairing may possibly be moved to a February event. MMA Island was first to report the news of the cancelled bantamweight title fight.  

Promotional perfect striker, Yan took co-main event honours at UFC 251 in July on 'Fight Island' - scoring an eventual fifth-round knockout win over former undisputed featherweight champion, José Aldo in a vacant title fight. 

Earning his first crack at bantamweight gold, Uniondale, New York native, Sterling extended his winning run to five-fights with a highlight-reel opening-round rear-naked choke submission win over fellow contender, Cory 'The Sandman' Sandhagen at UFC 250 in June.

With the removal of Yan vs. Sterling, the UFC 256 event is now left without a title fight, following the cancellation of other title fights involving Kamaru Usman and Gilbert Burns, as well as Amanda Nunes and Megan Anderson.

The promotion appears to be working on a quickfire replacement for the event, however, with retaining flyweight champion, Deiveson Figueiredo, and fellow UFC 255 feature, Brandon Moreno both verbally agreeing to make a stunning twenty-one-day turnaround at the December 12th. event.