Author: Dan Hiergesell

An illegal knee cost Petr Yan his UFC bantamweight title last night (Sat., Mar. 6, 2021) at UFC 259 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the Russian champion landed a strike on Aljamain Sterling in the fourth round that stopped the fight.

Sterling was in control in the early going with constant pressure, leg kicks, flying knees, and hooks. Yan waited patiently until he unloaded a massive right hand that knocked “Funk Master” down. Sterling gained back some momentum early into the second before having his takedown attempts stuffed along the cage by Yan.

Yan really started to take control in the third as “Funk Master” began showing signs of serious fatigue. The champion was able to push Sterling over to the ground and blocked everything that Sterling returned. Sterling continued to tire into the fourth as Yan started to hit him with precise shots. Unfortunately, Yan ended up landing an illegal knee as Sterling had one knee on the ground. The referee had warned Yan before the strike of Sterling’s position, but the champion still threw it.

In a weird turn of events Sterling ends up winning the UFC bantamweight title by way of a Yan disqualification.

Check out the full fight video highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN:

For complete UFC 259 results and coverage click here.

As soon as UFC 259 wraps up later tonight (Sat., Mar. 6, 2021) live on ESPN+ PPV from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, fight fans can check out the live post-fight press conference video above for all the best reaction and official bonus winners.

On a night that features a main event clash between UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz and UFC middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya, a women’s featherweight title fight pitting double champ Amanda Nunes against Megan Anderson, and a bantamweight scrap featuring UFC champion Petr Yan and top contender Aljamain Sterling, there will be much to talk about when the action winds down.

The post-fight presser is scheduled to go live at 1:15 a.m. ET (Sunday), and feature the biggest winners and losers from the card.

For complete UFC 259 results and coverage click here.

The stars are aligning for an all-time card tonight (Sat., Mar. 6, 2021) at UFC 259 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, especially after seeing flyweight contender Kai Kara-France level Rogerio Bontorin with a last-second TKO finish in the first round.

Kara-France had to endure some savvy submission attempts by Bontorin before finding his opening on the feet, but the UFC veteran was game through and through. With seconds remaining in the first round Kara-France was able to separate and land a beautiful right hand to the temple. Bontorin fell to the canvas head first and the fight was waved off as the bell sounded.

Check out the video highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

Kara-France looked to be in serious trouble with some of Bontorin’s early pressure, but his defense was on point. It was good to see after watching Kara-France get choked out by Brand Royval last September. The 27-year-old Australian needed this win to prove he still belongs in the flyweight top 10.

Mission accomplished.

For complete UFC 259 results and coverage click here.

Kennedy Nzechukwu spoiled the anticipated Octagon debut of undefeated light heavyweight prospect Carlos Ulberg earlier tonight (Sat., Mar. 6, 2021) at UFC 259 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, as “African Savage” scored a come-from-behind TKO finish in the second round.

Ulberg started as advertised and leveled Nzechukwu with powerful combinations and a head kick that nearly ended the fight. Nzechukwu somehow absorbed all of the punishment and the output started to tire Ulberg. In Round 2, Ulberg’s hands were low and Nzechukwu started to push the pace. During an exchange along the cage the two light heavyweights went for the kill and it was Nzechukwu who caught Ulberg with a perfect right hook. Ulberg fell to the canvas and allowed Nzechukwu to jump on top for the finish.

Check out the video highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

Nzechukwu hasn’t competed since 2019 and got rocked very early into this fight, but the 28-year-old fighter still managed to finish one of the most hyped prospects at 205 pounds today. Look for Nzechukwu to stay busy in 2021 as he tries to push his way towards the top 15 and build off the biggest win of his career.

For complete UFC 259 results and coverage click here.

To stream UFC 259 LIVE on ESPN+ PPV click here!

One of the most stacked UFC cards you will ever see goes down later tonight (Sat., Mar. 6, 2021) with UFC 259 airing live on ESPN+ PPV from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada. The PPV main card will feature three title fights in total, including the light heavyweight headliner between current UFC champion Jan Blachowicz and middleweight titleholder Israel Adesanya.

Before the top half of the PPV card unravels a slew of UFC 259 undercard matchups will play out in violent fashion. From a light heavyweight clash between former title challenger Thiago Santos and Aleksandar Rakic to a bantamweight matchup pitting former UFC champion Dominick Cruz against streaking contender Casey Kenney, UFC 259 will be delivering memorable action from start to finish.

We will compile the best of the best below — with all video footage courtesy of UFC and ESPN — and will continue to share the action as it rolls in. Enjoy!

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Trevin Jones def. Mario Bautista via second-round TKO (punches)

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Uros Medic def. Aalon Cruz via first-round TKO (punches)

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Amanda Lemos def. Livia Renata Souza via first-round TKO (punches)

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Sean Brady def. Jake Matthews via third-round submission (arm-triangle choke)

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Kennedy Nzechukwu def. Carlos Ulberg via second-round TKO (punches)

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Tim Elliott def. Jordan Espinosa via Unanimous Decision

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Kai Kara-France def. Rogerio Bontorin via first-round TKO (punches)

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Askar Askarov def. Joseph Benavidez via Unanimous Decision

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Kyler Phillips def. Song Yandong via Unanimous Decision

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Dominick Cruz def. Casey Kenney via Split Decision

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Aleksandar Rakic def. Thiago Santos via Unanimous Decision

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Islam Makhachev def. Drew Dober via submission (arm triangle)

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Aljamain Sterling def. Petr Yan via Disqualification (illegal knee)

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Amanda Nunes def. Megan Anderson first-round submission (triangle armbar)

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Jan Blachowicz def. Israel Adesanya via Unanimous Decision

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For complete UFC 259 results and coverage click here.

Sean Brady looked ready for the welterweight top 15 earlier tonight (Sat., Mar. 6, 2021) at UFC 259 live on ESPN+ from inside UFC APEX in Las Vegas, Nevada, when the undefeated contender finished veteran fighter Jake Matthews via third-round submission (arm-triangle choke).

Matthews was able to utilize his length and distance control early to land some good shots for range. “Celtic Kid” even managed to score a knockdown in the first. However, once Brady realized he could take Matthews down and control him across the board the fight was essentially over. Brady sapped Matthews in the second round before dragging him to the ground again in the third, which is where he found the late submission finish.

Check out the video highlights above courtesy of UFC/ESPN.

Brady is now 4-0 in UFC competition and just locked down his second-straight submission finish. Matthews is a legit name at 170 pounds and outside of the first few exchanges on the feet Brady was able to dominate him. Brady now deserves a shot at the welterweight top 15 and could make a real run at things moving forward.

For complete UFC 259 results and coverage click here.