Tag: petr yan

Petr Yan Trolls Aljamain Sterling Without Mercy With Edited Fight Poster

UFC interim bantamweight champion Petr Yan is ramping up the mental warfare ahead of his rematch with official titleholder Aljamain Sterling. Yan and Sterling will unify the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 273 in Jacksonville, FL, nearly a year after the two top bantamweights squared off at UFC 259. Sterling won the bout via disqualification…

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UFC interim bantamweight champion Petr Yan is ramping up the mental warfare ahead of his rematch with official titleholder Aljamain Sterling.

Yan and Sterling will unify the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 273 in Jacksonville, FL, nearly a year after the two top bantamweights squared off at UFC 259. Sterling won the bout via disqualification following an illegal knee from Yan in the fourth round.

Tensions have continued to build between Sterling and Yan ahead of their highly-anticipated rematch. They were supposed to fight back at UFC 267, but Sterling pulled out with a lingering injury on short notice. Yan would go on to beat Cory Sandhagen for the interim title.

In a recent tweet, Yan had a bit of fun at Sterling’s expense and showed that there’s still no love lost between the two 135 pounders.

Check out Yan’s edited fight poster below.

After seeing Yan’s tweet just hours later, Sterling issued a response of his own.

“Bro, you lost!” Sterling tweeted.

Sterling has yet to defend his bantamweight title since earning the belt controversially in his first matchup with Yan. The two fighters have accused each other of delaying the rematch and have gone back and forth on numerous occasions on social media.

Despite Sterling being the current bantamweight titleholder, it’s Yan who holds a spot in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings. Sterling will look to rewrite the script at UFC 273.

What is your prediction for Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan 2?

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Aljamain Sterling Reflects On His First Fight With Petr Yan: ‘I Dominated Him For 4 Rounds’

Aljamain SterlingAljamain Sterling took to social media on Sunday to reminisce about his first fight with Petr Yan one year on from the controversial bantamweight title fight that went down at UFC 259 in Abu Dhabi. On March 6, 2021, Sterling became the first person in company history to claim a title by way of disqualification. […]

Aljamain Sterling

Aljamain Sterling took to social media on Sunday to reminisce about his first fight with Petr Yan one year on from the controversial bantamweight title fight that went down at UFC 259 in Abu Dhabi.

On March 6, 2021, Sterling became the first person in company history to claim a title by way of disqualification.

‘The Funk Master’ seemed to be on his way to a decisive defeat at the hands of Yan before the Russian fighter connected with an illegal knee.

Sterling was unable to continue fighting and was subsequently given the win and the bantamweight title by way of disqualification.

The 135lb duo will rematch at UFC 273 in April but before then Sterling couldn’t resist celebrating his one-year reign as the most controversial champion in UFC history.

“One year ago on this day, I forced the Cheatr Rat to take the easy way out, after I dominated him for 4 Rounds, and made him surrender his paper belt,” Sterling wrote on Instagram. “Now in 5 weeks I will grant him the rematch that he doesn’t deserve and make the score 2-0. – On April 9th you will have no where to run! ?????? ? ???? ??????!”

Aljamain Sterling Has Been Healing Up From Neck Surgery

Post-fight, Sterling underwent surgery on a neck issue.

The surgery was so serious some people started to speculate that Sterling would be forced to retire from fighting.

TJ Dillashaw expressed his opinion that ‘The Funk Master’ was done competing in the sport.

Sterling was then booked to face off against Yan for the second time at UFC 267 on October 30 at the Etihad Arena.

However, he was still having lingering issues related to the surgery and withdrew from the fight.

Yan instead faced Cory Sandhagen for the interim bantamweight title and emerged victorious from one of the best fights 2021 had to offer.

How do you think Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan 2 will play out?

Sterling Promises Academy-Award-Winning Performance In Yan Rematch

UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling has made a promise ahead of his unification showdown with rival Petr Yan at UFC 273. Sterling’s reign atop the 135-pound mountain was forged in controversial fashion at UFC 259 last March. Against Yan, a Russian star who was predicted by many to rule the division for a long time,…

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UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling has made a promise ahead of his unification showdown with rival Petr Yan at UFC 273.

Sterling’s reign atop the 135-pound mountain was forged in controversial fashion at UFC 259 last March. Against Yan, a Russian star who was predicted by many to rule the division for a long time, “Funk Master” emerged with the belt after eating an illegal knee to the head in the fourth round.

A subsequent disqualification jumped Sterling from likely defeat to champion status. While the illegal nature of the blow he sustained is undeniable, many doubted, and continue to criticize, Sterling’s reaction to it and failure to continue.

Some, including fellow UFC peers like Darren Till and Henry Cejudo, even mocked the new champ by suggesting he had delivered an acting performance worthy of an Academy Award.

Having missed out on the ‘Best Actor’ honor to Anthony Hopkins at last April’s Oscars, Sterling is hoping to go one better than public nominee this time around…

Sterling Vows To Outdo Denzel Washington At UFC 273

Aljamain Sterling
Aljamain Sterling

During a recent interview with The Schmo, Sterling was asked how he’s been preparing for his upcoming rematch with Yan, which was previously postponed after the champ withdrew from UFC 267 last October.

Once again embracing the jokes and de-legitimization of his championship status, as he often has, the New York native assured fans he’s been hard at work to reach a Denzel Washington-level of performance at UFC 273.

“Well, I’ve been training a lot, a lot of PT. They have these schools out here, these acting schools. I’ve been going to a lot of those, putting in a lot of extra time,” said Sterling. “So you guys are gonna see a much better [Academy-Award-winning] performance this time. And you guys are gonna be shocked, man. Denzel [Washington] really doesn’t have anything on me. I’m telling you right now. Denzel, Training Day, John Q—nothin’.”

Given the ongoing prominent fighter pay debate, there’s perhaps a comparison to be made between Washington’s John Q character and the UFC fighters pushing for better remuneration.

But given the tactics Sterling’s accused of employing last March, perhaps a comparison to Denzel’s dirty cop portrayal in Training Day is more apt for UFC 273…

While he’s been more than happy to engage in memes and jokes surrounding his title crowning last year, Sterling will certainly be looking to focus on the task at hand come April 9.

He will no doubt acknowledge himself as the only true champion in the division, but some believe interim titleholder Yan holds that crown. UFC 273 will provide a chance for Sterling to legitimize his reign once and for all. Against a fighter like “No Mercy,” he’ll have a tough task on his hands.

Who do you think will leave UFC 273 as the undisputed bantamweight king, Aljamain Sterling or Petr Yan?

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Sterling Says He’ll Be “So Petty” If He Beats Yan In The Rematch

The UFC bantamweight champion has once again taken aim at his detractors.  Aljamain Sterling has had a rough 2021. After becoming the first champion to win the belt via disqualification, Sterling became the target of MMA fans. Petr Yan landed an illegal knee in their title bout, and Sterling was unable to continue. Yet, fans…

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The UFC bantamweight champion has once again taken aim at his detractors. 

Aljamain Sterling has had a rough 2021. After becoming the first champion to win the belt via disqualification, Sterling became the target of MMA fans. Petr Yan landed an illegal knee in their title bout, and Sterling was unable to continue. Yet, fans were quick to point out that they felt Sterling overreacted to the blow. 

While dealing with the blowback, Sterling was forced out of their rematch because of lingering issues from neck surgery. The withdrawal fueled the vitriol hurled at “The Funkmaster.” 

If you’ve been following Yan and Sterling on social media, it’s no secret they don’t like each other. The fighters have gone back and forth on social media and memes disparaging Sterling are aplenty around the web. All this seems to feed Sterling.

Prior to the fight being rebooked for UFC 273 in April, Sterling went on Ariel Helwani’s The MMA Hour to explain one of the incentives to beating Yan in the rematch: rubbing it in others’ faces. 

“So it’d be nice to make some money. And I can’t wait to do it and shove it up everyone’s asses and have them just—I’m gonna be so petty, man. I try to be humble about my wins. I always talk shit before the fights with all my opponents, but I always be humble about the wins. But this one, there’s just something different where I feel like it’s deserved.

Aljamain Sterling Put Everything Together At The Right Time
Aljamain Sterling, Image Credit: UFC.com

“And either way. Knock on wood, if things don’t go my way and he decides to do the same thing, that’s fine. I’ll eat it. I’ll eat it. I’m a man of my word, I back up my words, and I have no problem eating shit if I lose. But at the same time, I really do in my heart feel like I’m better than this guy and I can’t wait to have everyone just suck it.”

When Sterling pulled out of the rematch at UFC 267, Cory Sandhagen stepped up to fight the Russian destroyer. Sandhagen and Yan put on an entertaining display of technical mastery that ended with the interim belt around Yan’s waist.

Sterling has been absent from the Octagon since winning the title back in March. That will change when he steps into the Octagon to finally settle the score with Petr Yan in April.

How do you think the Yan/Sterling rematch goes down?

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O’Malley Expects “Smart” Sterling To Have A Better Plan In Yan Rematch

Rising UFC bantamweight star Sean O’Malley has given his take on the upcoming unification showdown between champion Aljamain Sterling and interim titleholder Petr Yan. Since their controversial clash at UFC 259 last March, which saw Sterling crowned champion via disqualification, a rematch between “Funk Master” and Yan has been inevitable. While it may have been […]

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Rising UFC bantamweight star Sean O’Malley has given his take on the upcoming unification showdown between champion Aljamain Sterling and interim titleholder Petr Yan.

Since their controversial clash at UFC 259 last March, which saw Sterling crowned champion via disqualification, a rematch between “Funk Master” and Yan has been inevitable.

While it may have been initially delayed after Sterling underwent neck surgery and later pulled off the UFC 267 card last October, we finally appear set to see the two rivals settle their score inside the Octagon.

After Alexander Volkanovski’s next defense was moved from UFC 272 to UFC 273, the upcoming bantamweight title fight went with it. Yan and Sterling will now throw down for all the marbles on April 9.

O’Malley Believes Sterling Has The Skills To Beat Yan

Given the fact Yan appeared to be on his way to a comfortable victory in their first clash and has since had interim gold wrapped around his waist following an impeccable performance against Cory Sandhagen in Abu Dhabi, it’s unsurprising that “No Mercy” is being considered the favorite ahead of the rematch.

But while the Russian is in hot form and is yet to be beaten in the UFC outside of his DQ setback, one ranked 135lber is warning against counting Sterling out.

During an appearance on Michael Bisping’s Believe You Me podcast earlier this month, O’Malley insisted Sterling is too “smart” to make the same mistakes and follow the same game plan he brought into UFC 259 last year. While “Sugar” doesn’t necessarily believe “Funk Master” will beat Yan, he does believe the champ has the tools to do it.

“I do-ish (see the rematch going down the same way). But I also think Aljamain is smart. He’s not a stupid guy. He’s very, very high level, his résumé speaks for itself,” O’Malley said. “I think he went in with the wrong game plan (at UFC 259). He went in and gassed out in a couple rounds. If you watch Petr’s fights, you know he’s gonna cruise for a little bit, try to figure you out, and then start putting on the pressure in the later rounds. He does that every fight.

“Aljamain Sterling’s gotta see that, gotta recognize that, and come in with a different game plan,” added O’Malley. “I think Aljamain has skills, and he has the skills; he could beat Petr. I don’t necessarily see it happening, but I’m not counting him out. He’s a top, top bantamweight for a reason, and I think it’s gonna be a very interesting fight.”

While his status as champion has been disputed and looked down upon by some, Sterling’s ability can’t be denied, as was proven during his run before facing Yan. His five straight victories prior to UFC 259 included triumphs against Sandhagen, Pedro Munhoz, Jimmie Rivera, and Cody Stamann.

While Yan will be looking to regain the undisputed belt he doesn’t believe he rightfully lost, Sterling will be hoping to prove many in the MMA community wrong at UFC 273 and legitimize his place on the bantamweight mountaintop.

Who do you think will leave UFC 273 as the undisputed bantamweight king, Aljamain Sterling or Petr Yan?

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T.J. Dillashaw: ‘Aljamain Sterling Doesn’t Have That Fighting Spirit In Him’

TJ DillashawT.J. Dillashaw thinks that Petr Yan will beat Aljamain Sterling with ease in their rematch in April. Yan was close to defeating Sterling at UFC 259 until he threw an illegal knee strike in the fourth round which rendered Sterling unable to continue. This disqualification resulted in Yan losing his bantamweight title. Since that mishap, […]

TJ Dillashaw

T.J. Dillashaw thinks that Petr Yan will beat Aljamain Sterling with ease in their rematch in April.

Yan was close to defeating Sterling at UFC 259 until he threw an illegal knee strike in the fourth round which rendered Sterling unable to continue. This disqualification resulted in Yan losing his bantamweight title.

Since that mishap, Yan beat Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267 for the interim title and is set to run it back with Sterling again at UFC 273 in April. While fans wait for the decisive battle between these two, other notable fighters have their own opinion on how they think the rematch will go down.

T.J. Dillashaw recently told ESPN that he doesn’t see Sterling being able to make the necessary adjustments to get the win in this one. (H/T mmajunkie.com)

“My money’s on Yan, just to see the way that fight went down and kind of see Aljamain just break and give up and really didn’t have much for him,” Dillashaw said. “I was kind of expecting Sterling to give him a lot more trouble in the grappling aspects and the takedown, and Yan just kind of shrugged him off like he had no strength. I don’t know if there’s much you can change with that, that mentality. and Yan’s a killer.”

Dillashaw continued to go at Sterling, saying that he doesn’t have the same killer instinct that he or Yan has.

“You see the way he fights, he stays real tight, stays clean, and he’s just got the mentality that he’s a fighter,” Dillashaw added on Yan. “You got those competitors, you got athletes, and then you got fighters. Guys like myself and guys like Yan are the full package – you do all of them – where I feel like Sterling’s more of maybe a competitor or an athlete. He doesn’t have that fighting spirit in him. He’s a little bit weak when it comes to that.”

Dillashaw, who is currently recovering from a knee injury, is targeting a return in the summer and wants the winner of Yan/Sterling.

Do you agree with T.J. Dillashaw’s opinion of Aljamain Sterlings killer instinct?