
via Getty
INGLEWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 29: Petr Yan of Russia stands in his corner prior to his bantamweight bout against Douglas Silva de Andrade of Brazil during the UFC 232 event inside The Forum on December 29, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

via Getty
INGLEWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 29: Petr Yan of Russia stands in his corner prior to his bantamweight bout against Douglas Silva de Andrade of Brazil during the UFC 232 event inside The Forum on December 29, 2018 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
The bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259 was brought to an abrupt end after Yan landed an illegal knee on Sterling while the latter was grounded. The Russian was subsequently disqualified, and ‘Funkmaster’ was crowned as the new champion of the 135lbs division.
Following the bizarre aftermath of their fight, both Yan and Sterling look set for a rematch. They have already started trading jabs at each other on social media ahead of a potential second fight. Sterling started things off as he trolled Yan with a meme.
MAYBE @PetrYanUFC KNEE’D A BREAK FROM CHAMPION 🤣 https://t.co/CzNEyORRFC pic.twitter.com/ZpyNsWabSe
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 9, 2021
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
You took that knee like a champ 🤦🏻♂️ Done celebrating yet? https://t.co/CDl4HReJiq
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) March 9, 2021
Celebrating what? Two training camps for your dumb ass to just do some dumb illegal shit? How does the champ not know the rules?
Because you are to stupid to know the rules I have to watch to start training again for a rematch. Bravo 👏🏾 champ! Bravo! https://t.co/KB77iDooka— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 9, 2021
“MAYBE @PetrYanUFC KNEE’D A BREAK FROM CHAMPION,” Sterling wrote on Twitter first alongside a meme.
“You took that knee like a champ Done celebrating yet?” responded the Russian.
However, the fun and games were short-lived as ‘Funkmaster’ soon dissed the former champion for breaking the rules.
“Celebrating what? Two training camps for your dumb ass to just do some dumb illegal shit? How does the champ not know the rules? Because you are to stupid to know the rules I have to watch to start training again for a rematch. Bravo champ! Bravo!” Sterling replied.

via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 06: (L-R) Petr Yan of Russia punches Aljamain Sterling in their UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
It’s tough to deny that Sterling has a point. There was some miscommunication at the Russian’s corner as his coaches told him to proceed with the illegal shot. But as a champion of the UFC, he should have known the rules better by himself.
The fight was really competitive and entertaining until the unfortunate occurrence. Yan seemed to be gaining momentum and establishing authority with time.
When can we see Petr Yan vs Aljamain Sterling 2?
It’s quite evident that a rematch between ‘No Mercy‘ and ‘Funkmaster‘ has to happen. One might argue that the Russian might have lost the fight, but he didn’t lose the belt.
However, Sterling has been flirting with former champions of the division like Henry Cejudo and T.J. Dillashaw for a potential fight.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad

via Imago
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 06: (R-L) Aljamain Sterling punches Petr Yan of Russia in their UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 259 event at UFC APEX on March 06, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
But he needs to legitimize himself in the fans’ eyes first as the true champion of the division. For that, he has to fight Yan again. It’s unlikely either man took any severe damage in the fight, and they should be able to get back to training after serving the mandatory suspensions. But any timeline is not yet known.
What did you make of the recent back and forth between the two top bantamweights on social media? Let us know.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Also Read: Here’s How Stipe Miocic’s Wife Ryan Marie Carney Impacts the Undisputed UFC Champion
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT