Aljamain Sterling vs. Rani Yahya added to UFC Fight Night 123 in Fresno

A bantamweight contest that could prove a pretty interesting grappling affair has been added to UFC Fight Night 123.

UFC officials announced that Aljamain Sterling (14-2 MMA, 6-2 UFC) and Rany Yahya (24-9 MMA, 9-3 UFC) will square off at the event, which takes place Dec. 9 at Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif. The night’s complete bout order has yet to be revealed, but the main card airs on FS1 following prelims on FS2 and UFC Fight Pass.

Sterling, who is currently ranked No. 12 in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA bantamweight rankings, brings a two-fight winning streak to the cage after picking up decisions over former UFC bantamweight champion Renan Barao and top Brazilian prospect Augusto Mendes. Six of his 14 career wins have come by way of submission, including four by rear-naked choke, though all of those were prior to his UFC run.

Meanwhile, Yahya has spent a decade fighting under the UFC and WEC banner and has earned an astounding 18 of his 24 career wins via submission. Most recently, he picked up a kimura win over Enrique Briones at UFC Fight Night 114 in Mexico City. Yahya stands at 5-1 in his past six appearances.

UFC Fight Night 123 now includes:

• Cub Swanson vs. Brian Ortega
• Bryan Caraway vs. Luke Sanders
• Aljamain Sterling vs. Rani Yahya
• Carls John de Tomas vs. Alex Perez
• Liz Carmouche vs. Alexis Davis
• Eryk Anders vs. John Phillips
• Scott Holtzman vs. Darrell Horcher
• Trevin Giles vs. Antonio Braga Neto
• Chris Gruetzemacher vs. Davi Ramos
• Benito Lopez vs. Albert Morales

For more on UFC Fight Night 123, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.