Sterling-Assuncao fight reportedly set for UFC Fight Night 102 in Albany 
On Tuesday, Brett Okamoto from ESPN reported that a bantamweight matchup between Aljamain Sterling (12-1) and Raphael Assuncao (23-5) will take place at UFC Fight Night 102 in Albany, New York. Both fighters are coming off losses, with Assuncao falling to TJ Dillashaw in their rematch at UFC 200 on July 9 while Sterling suffered the first setback of his career versus Bryan Caraway via split decision at UFC Fight Night 88. There was some speculation that Sterling — a native of Uniondale, New York — might find his way onto the UFC 205 card at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Assuncao is seven years older than “The Funk Master” but should be a solid opponent for him as a battle-tested veteran who has been one of the top bantamweight contenders over the past few years. They do have a common opponent somewhat recently in Caraway, whom Assuncao defeated by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 54 two years ago. An ankle injury had kept Assuncao out of the Octagon for a little more than 21 months between his last two fights. Former NFL defensive end Greg Hardy to pursue MMA career Another former football player will try to make the transition to MMA, as the troubled Hardy attempts to switch gears after no NFL teams showed interest in him. Ariel Helwani reported Tuesday at MMAFighting.com that the 28-year-old has given up football and spent the last several months training in hopes of making his debut as a heavyweight sometime in 2017. Hardy’s NFL career took a turn for the worse after he recorded 15 sacks during a Pro Bowl season in 2013, as he was charged with domestic violence in 2014 while playing for the Carolina Panthers. He was released by the team but inked a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys and sat out the first four games of 2015 due to a suspension. However, he did not re-sign with the Cowboys and was arrested on a cocaine charge last month. “I’m very focused and excited to start my MMA career,” Hardy said in a statement provided to MMAFighting.com. “I’m going to do this the right way, I can assure you of that.””I’m very focused and excited to start my MMA career. I’m very focused and excited to start my MMA career.”
