Video recap: Yan stops Aldo to become new bantamweight champion

Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC

A new bantamweight champion has been crowned at UFC 251, after Petr Yan defeated Jose Aldo by fifth-round TKO.

Petr Yan is the new UFC bantamweight champion after defeating Jose Aldo by fifth-round TKO at UFC 251.

What was the high point of the fight?

Yan landed a solid right hand that stunned Aldo briefly but the Brazilian recovered well. Aldo looked sharp on the feet going back to his vintage leg kicks, one of which took Yan off of his feet. Yan landed some heavy ground and pound at the end of the first round.

Both men were matching each other’s output on the feet after three rounds, as Aldo landed leg kicks Yan continued to fire back with heavy punches of his own. Yan had Aldo hurt at the end of the fourth and the start of the fifth round. After lots of unanswered ground and pound from Yan, the fight was stopped midway through the fifth round.

Where do they go from here?

It’s a huge feat for Yan picking up a win against the veteran Aldo. The only fight that makes sense for Yan’s first title defence is a bout with Aljamain Sterling, who has won his five fights.

For the first time in his MMA career, Aldo has now lost three consecutive fights. It’s a disappointing loss for the Brazilian, but his next opponent depends on whether he stays at 135-pounds or goes back up to featherweight.

Watch it now, later or never?

It was a great title fight with lots of action from both fighters, watch it now.