Reigning UFC bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling has claimed that he cannot wait to “f*ck up” interim gold holder, Petr Yan in the pair’s expected rematch next year, labelling the Dudinka native a “dirty rat”.
Sterling, who became the first champion in the promotion’s history to win the belt courtesy of a disqualification, after then-titleholder, Yan landed a fourth round illegal knee back in March in his first championship defense.
In the time since, Uniondale native, Sterling has undergone neck surgery to address a lingering injury dating back to his amateur wrestling days, however, failed to obtain medical clearance to return in October against Yan, as he deals with persistent nerve issues and muscle loss.
As a result, Yan remained on the UFC 267 card on ‘Fight Island’ – winning an interim bantamweight championship after landing a unanimous decision win against common-opposition, Cory Sandhagen.
Sterling, a staple of Serra-Longo Fight Team, recently confirmed that he expects to return toward the end of the opening quarter of next year, however, an expected championship rematch unification bout with Yan has so far failed to come to fruition.
Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan continue to verbally spar ahead of an expected 2022 rematch
Posting about Sterling yesterday, Yan, who referred to the champion as both “Alja” and his “b*tch” maintained he would finish the New York native in impressive fashion next time round.
“Friendly reminder that Alja (Aljamain Sterling) is my b*tch,” Petr Yan tweeted. “This time I will destroy this little whiner even more impressive.”
Responding to Yan, Sterling claimed that he was itching for the opportunity to fight him once more, before calling the Russian striker a “rat”.
“Yea, f*ck that Alja guy,” Aljamain Sterling tweeted. “He sucks. Aljo, on the other hand – yea, he can’t wait to f*ck you up. Dirty rat.”
Yea fuck that Alga guy. He sucks.
Aljo, on the other hand- yea, he can’t wait to fuck you up. Dirty rat
https://t.co/7emr2Zdyhk
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) December 26, 2021
Sterling’s Match title-winning victory over Yan came as his sixth straight win, following prior successes against Cory Sandhagen, Pedro Munhoz, Jimmie Rivera, Cody Stamann, and Brett Johns.
The UFC 259 disqualification loss for Yan came as his first promotional defeat following his arrival from ACB back in June 2018.