Newcomer Sterling replaces Caraway, faces Martins at UFC 170
Another member of the Serra-Longo Fight Team has joined the UFC roster.
Undefeated bantamweight Aljamain Sterling (8-0) will make his Octagon debut next month at UFC 170 in Las Vegas against Brazilian Lucas Martins (14-1). The new pairing was confirmed by the UFC on Wednesday morning.
Martins, who is coming off a first-round submission win over Junior Hernandez in his bantamweight debut, was originally scheduled to face former Ultimate Fighter contestant and recent Team Tate coach Bryan Caraway, but 'Kid Lightning' was forced to withdraw due to an unspecified injury.
Enter Sterling.
The 24-year-old nicknamed 'Funk Master,' has started his career with eight consecutive victories, most recently earning a first-round stoppage win back in November. A teammate of emerging lightweight Al Iaquinta and reigning UFC middleweight champion Chris Weidman, Sterling was one of the top prospects in the bantamweight division heading into this year, and now will get the opportunity to make his mark on the biggest stage in the sport.
UFC 170: Rousey vs. McMann takes place on Saturday, February 22 at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas, Nevada.
