Aljamain Sterling announces wrist surgery, withdrawal from rumored MSG bout vs. Frankie Edgar

A lingering injury may have cost Aljamain Sterling a big fight.

On Tuesday, Sterling announced via Instagram that he underwent surgery for a ligament tear in his wrist. In his social media post, he also claims that the New York State Athletic Commission would not clear him for a rumored bout with Frankie Edgar at UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 2.

“For the last two years, I’ve been dealing with a scapholunate ligament tear in my wrist,” Sterling wrote. “Depending how bad you let the injury get (it) can weaken/affect your grip strength, reduces the weight you can lift, the pressure you can put on it, and over time gets extremely painful to do daily activities, like washing my back and my ass!”

The New York State Athletic Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Sterling’s post; the commission typically does not comment on potential medical issues involving fighters.

A person with knowledge of the pending booking between Sterling and Edgar confirmed fight had been scrapped.

Sterling said he’s competed with the wrist injury, including in his most recent fight, a unanimous decision win over fellow bantamweight contender Pedro Munhoz in June. The 30-year-old Brooklyn native is currently on a four-fight win streak and though he was eager to fight in New York City, he says the commission had other plans.

“Unfortunately, the NYSAC wouldn’t approve me in time to fight at home for Nov. 2,” Sterling wrote. “Although the wrist pain got significantly worse from fighting Pedro Munhoz, I was really disappointed, but recognized that maybe this was God’s plan for me. I’ve been searching for clarity or a sign... maybe this was it...

“Either way, I was ready to risk it all again for a dream-come-true fight against a legend in my hometown!! I risked it before, right? So why not do it again, as my homecoming to FINALLY fight at home?!”