Check out what the disputed UFC bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling had to say about Petr Yan taking the interim 135 pound strap at UFC 267.
There wasn’t a whole lot of specificity going on at UFC 267 regarding the interim nature of the bantamweight belt being fought for by Petr Yan and Corey Sandhagen. Even when Joe Martinez announced Yan as the winner, the word ‘interim’ never came up. Instead Yan was declared a two time UFC bantamweight champion, and that was that.
No mention of actual UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling, who is currently unable to defend his belt as he recovers from neck surgery. So it was up to Aljamain to make some noise for himself to remind people he’s still around.
My two sons are fighting next for 2nd place! Tune in! #UFC267
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 30, 2021
Brilliant fight men! I have it 48-47 for Yan. You earned this first ass whooping! Rest up and enjoy the work you did. I’ll see you soon! #UFC267
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 30, 2021
Going to be a very different fight in 2022 https://t.co/Q0KnzJCZww
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 30, 2021
Daddy was very proud of his kids today! Best division in the UFC! https://t.co/w3RCsg1zRS
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 30, 2021
And as usual, the response he got via Twitter wasn’t exactly all that complimentary. He even got clown emoji’d by Doc Scott, one of the founding fathers of jungle / drum & bass. I kinda get the feeling Sterling was almost proud of this one?
Shut up and drop my walkout music DJ Trash Bags https://t.co/RFjI1cA6cU
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) October 30, 2021
We’re sure there’ll be plenty more smack thrown back and forth between Yan and Sterling before they finally rematch. For now, Yan has decided to simply declare his belt the real undisputed bantamweight title.
Undisputed UFC bantamweight champion
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) October 30, 2021
And honestly, thus far it seems like for promotional purposes, the UFC is happy to agree.