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.
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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
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.
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.
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.
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