Aljamain Sterling News

Daniel Cormier, Aljamain Sterling
Daniel Cormier

Aljamain Sterling receives advice from Daniel Cormier: "Get off the Internet, bro"

Tom Taylor - March 10, 2021

UFC commentator Daniel Cormier has some advice for the promotion’s new bantamweight champion, Aljamain Sterling: Step away from the Internet. Sterling returned to the cage at UFC 259 last weekend, when he challenged Petr Yan for the bantamweight title. Regrettably, this fight ended in disaster when Yan blasted Sterling with an illegal knee. When Sterling was unable to continue, he was named the victor by disqualification, which meant that he became the new champion—but under pretty unfortunate circumstances.

Aljamain-Sterling-Henry-Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Aljamain Sterling says Henry Cejudo 'is like herpes,' sees fight 'potentially in the works' after Petr Yan rematch

Drake Riggs - March 9, 2021

As the new UFC bantamweight champion. Aljamain Sterling is already finding himself as a target for challengers – one of which is a former titleholder themselves. Capturing the title at UFC 259 via disqualification after Petr Yan landed an illegal knee, Sterling and the Russian former champ are expected to run things back as soon as possible. However, the man to hold the title prior to Yan, Henry Cejudo, appears to be seriously teasing a return to action.

Aljamain Sterling, Cory Sandhagen, UFC 250, UFC rankings
Conor McGregor

UFC rankings update: Aljamain Sterling forces Conor McGregor off pound-for-pound list

Tom Taylor - March 9, 2021

The official UFC rankings have been updated after last Saturday’s stacked UFC 259 card, and as expected, there have been some significant changes. The biggest chances to the UFC rankings concern the men’s pound-for-pound list.

Aljamain Sterling, Cory Sandhagen, UFC 250, UFC rankings
Ray Longo

Coach Ray Longo on Aljamain Sterling winning the title at UFC 259: “It’s almost like it cursed him”

Harry Kettle - March 9, 2021

Aljamain Sterling coach Ray Longo has hit back at the trolls coming after the new champion in the wake of his win at UFC 259. Sterling captured the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Saturday night after Petr Yan was disqualified due to an illegal knee he threw. In the wake of the event, with photos of Sterling holding the belt being leaked onto social media, many fans decided to throw a whole lot of grief at him and his team.

Merab-Dvalishvili-Aljamain-Sterling
Petr Yan

Aljamain Sterling has a message for those who are offended by him posing with the UFC belt

Christopher Taylor - March 8, 2021

Aljamain Sterling has issued a statement following the immense backlash he has received for posing with the UFC bantamweight title. Sterling (20-3 MMA) captured the promotions coveted bantamweight title at Saturday’s UFC 259 event, but it was not in the fashion he or anyone watching desired.

Aljamain Sterling
Petr Yan

Aljamain Sterling "wouldn't be opposed" if UFC didn't do Petr Yan rematch next

Cole Shelton - March 8, 2021

Aljamain Sterling wouldn’t care if the UFC decides not to book a rematch between him and Petr Yan next. In the first of three title fights at UFC 259, Yan was looking to defend his belt against Sterling. Early on, Yan dropped the challenger and was stuffing the takedowns and as the fight wore on, he was starting to pick the Russian apart. However, in the fourth round, Yan threw an illegal knee which ended the fight and he was DQ’d and Sterling became the new champion.

Jan Blachowicz, Israel Adesanya, UFC 259
Amanda Nunes

What's next for the stars of UFC 259?

Cole Shelton - March 8, 2021

On the stacked UFC 259 card, three title fights headlined the event with one title changing hands although it being controversial. In the main event, Jan Blachowicz edged out a decision over middleweight champ, Israel Adesanya to defend his light heavyweight title. The co-main event saw Amanda Nunes submit Megan Anderson to defend her featherweight. In the first of three title fights, Aljamain Sterling became the new bantamweight champion after Petr Yan threw an illegal knee and was disqualified.

UFC 267, Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan
Petr Yan

Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling renew UFC 259 battle on social media

Adam Martin - March 7, 2021

New UFC bantamweight champ Aljamain Sterling and former champ Petr Yan renewed their UFC 259 battle on social media the day after their fight. Sterling and Yan had an incredible fight at UFC 259, one of three title fights on the card. Both men had their moments in the fight, but it appeared as though Yan was pulling away late when he made a huge error and illegally kneed Sterling in the head while he was a downed opponent. Referee Mark Smith deemed the foul intentional and was forced to wave off the fight on the advice of the cage-side doctor, who said Sterling couldn’t continue. Yan then became the first fighter in UFC history to lose his belt via DQ (disqualification).

Aljamain Sterling, Cory Sandhagen, UFC 250, UFC rankings
Dana White

Video | Aljamain Sterling squares off with Henry Cejudo, tells Dana White “we can do this fight next”

Christopher Taylor - March 7, 2021

Newly crowned UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling is interested in fighting Henry Cejudo in his first attempt at a title defense. Sterling captured the promotions 135lbs title in controversial fashion yesterday evening at UFC 259, emerging victorious over Petr Yan due to a disqualification from an illegal knee in the fourth round.

Henry Cejudo, Dana White, Valentina Shevchenko, Ali Abdelaziz
Henry Cejudo

Henry Cejudo breaks down Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan, apologizes to ‘Funkmaster’

Christopher Taylor - March 7, 2021

Former ‘champ champ’ Henry Cejudo has shared his breakdown of last night’s UFC 259 bantamweight title fight between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan. Sterling and Yan squared off on last night’s pay-per-view main card and the fight delivered as many expected. After a strong opening round for Sterling, the Russian champion seemingly began to change the tide in round two. By round four it appeared Yan was on route to a possible finish, however an illegal knee spelt an end to the fight and Petr’s title reign.

Dana-White
Dana White

Dana White reacts to controversial and ending in Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling bout at UFC 259

Adam D Martin - March 7, 2021

UFC president Dana White reacted to the controversial ending in the Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling bantamweight title bout at UFC 259. Yan nailed Sterling in the head while he was on the ground with an illegal knee, leaving Sterling unable to continue in the contest. Though Yan was slightly ahead on the scorecards at the time of the foul, referee Mark Smith deemed the illegal knee was done on purpose and he disqualified Yan, which led to Sterling now holding the belt. It was a super controversial moment and call as it was the first time in the UFC we’ve ever seen a title change hands via DQ. Following the event, White spoke to reporters about the fight.

Aljamain Sterling
Petr Yan

Aljamain Sterling responds to Petr Yan following criticism over DQ at UFC 259: "The fight was statistically close"

Adam Martin - March 7, 2021

UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling responded to Petr Yan following his controversial DQ at UFC 259, suggesting the fight was close. Sterling and Yan put on a great fight for as long as it lasted. The first round was close, as Sterling was landing more volume on the feet until Yan dropped him with a strong right hand to take it back. In the second round, Yan appeared to be taking over with his striking, and it was the same thing in the third round. The judges had the fight 29-28 Yan, 29-28 Yan, and 29-28 Sterling heading into the fourth round. In the fourth round, it appeared that the tide of the fight was starting to change in Yan’s favor and that he would win.

Merab-Dvalishvili-Aljamain-Sterling
Petr Yan

Photo | Petr Yan responds after photo of Aljamain Sterling holding UFC belt and smiling emerges

Adam D Martin - March 7, 2021

Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan responded after a photo of Aljamain Sterling holding the belt was shared on social media. Yan and Sterling fought in one of three title fights at UFC 259, and it was a heck of a fight for as long as it lasted. After a strong start by Sterling in the first round, Yan dropped him with a straight right. Tasting the power of the Russian turned the course of the fight, and gave Yan all the momentum. Though Sterling had his moments, Yan appeared to take over in rounds two, three, and four. In the fourth, Yan was cruising to another title defense until he made the bonehead mistake of landing an illegal knee in the fourth round to the head of a downed opponent. Sterling couldn’t continue, and the fight was called off due to DQ.

UFC 267, Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan
Petr Yan

Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling issue statements following their title fight at UFC 259

Christopher Taylor - March 6, 2021

Tonight’s UFC 259 main card featured a men’s bantamweight title fight between reigning champion Petr Yan and top contender Aljamain Sterling. Yan (15-2 MMA) had captured the promotions vacant bantamweight title at UFC 251 after scoring a fifth round TKO victory over MMA legend Jose Aldo. That win had marked the Russian’s tenth in a row and seventh straight under the UFC banner.

TJ Dillashaw
Petr Yan

TJ Dillashaw roasts Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan following UFC 259

Christopher Taylor - March 6, 2021

Former bantamweight champion TJ Dillashaw was clearly watching tonight’s 135-pound title fight between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259. Yan (15-2 MMA) had captured the promotions vacant bantamweight title at UFC 251 after scoring a fifth round TKO victory over MMA legend Jose Aldo. That win had marked the Russian’s tenth in a row and seventh straight under the UFC banner.

Henry Cejudo
Henry Cejudo

Henry Cejudo reacts to Aljamain Sterling defeating Petr Yan by DQ at UFC 259

Chris Taylor - March 6, 2021

Former ‘champ champ’ Henry Cejudo was clearly watching tonight’s UFC 259 bantamweight title fight between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling. Cejudo (16-2 MMA) had shocked fans last year when he announced his retirement from the sport immediately following his TKO victory over Dominick Cruz at UFC 249.

Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan
Petr Yan

UFC 259 Result: Aljamain Sterling defeats Petr Yan via DQ (Video)

Chris Taylor - March 6, 2021

Tonight’s UFC 259 event features a men’s bantamweight title fight as Petr Yan looks to earn his first career title defense against Aljamain Sterling. Yan (15-1 MMA) captured the promotions vacant bantamweight title at UFC 251 after scoring a fifth round TKO victory over MMA legend Jose Aldo. The win marked the Russian’s tenth in a row and seventh straight under the UFC banner.

Colby Covington, LeBron James
Colby Covington

Colby Covington shares his prediction for Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259

Chris Taylor - March 6, 2021

Colby Covington has shared a bold prediction for tonight’s Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling bantamweight title fight at UFC 259. Yan (15-1 MMA) captured the promotions vacant bantamweight title at UFC 251 after scoring a fifth round TKO victory over MMA legend Jose Aldo. The win marked the Russian’s tenth in a row and seventh straight under the UFC banner.