Aljamain Sterling News

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.

Aljamain-Sterling
UFC

Multiple pro fighters accuse Aljamain Sterling of acting to take home belt

Adam D Martin - March 7, 2021

Multiple pro fighters are accusing UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling of acting to take home the belt at UFC 259 against Petr Yan. Sterling and Yan met in one of three title fights at UFC 259. The two bantamweights went back-and-forth in the fight, but it appeared as though Yan was starting to take over in the later rounds. However, Yan made a huge mistake when he kneed Sterling in the head when his opponent was downed. After the doctor said Sterling could not continue, referee Mark Smith waved the contest off, declaring Sterling the winner by DQ. Yan became the first fighter in UFC history to lose his championship title off of a disqualification ruling.

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.

UFC 267, Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan
Petr Yan

Pros react after Aljamain Sterling defeats Petr Yan via DQ at UFC 259

Chris Taylor - March 6, 2021

Tonight’s UFC 259 event featured a men’s bantamweight title fight as Petr Yan looked to earn his first career title defense against 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.

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.

Jan Blachowicz, Israel Adesanya, UFC 259
Amanda Nunes

UFC 259: ‘Blachowicz vs Adesanya’ Fight Card and Start Times

Harry Kettle - March 4, 2021

The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns to pay-per-view this weekend with an absolutely electric UFC 259 card featuring three huge title fights – headlined by Jan Blachowicz vs Israel Adesanya for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship. Event: UFC 259: Blachowicz vs Adesanya Date: Saturday, 6th March 2021 Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada Broadcast: ESPN+ – 6pm/8pm/10pm EST

Petr-Yan
Petr Yan

Petr Yan believes Aljamain Sterling will run from him at UFC 259: "It's gameplan of a mouse, yeah?"

Adam Martin - March 3, 2021

UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan believes Aljamain Sterling will run from him at UFC 259, suggesting he will have the gameplan of a mouse. Yan vs. Sterling is one of three title fights featured on this Saturday’s stacked UFC 259 card. Yan is coming off of a successful TKO victory over Jose Aldo to capture the vacant belt back at UFC 251 on Fight Island, while Sterling is coming off of a first-round submission over top contender Cory Sandhagen in his last fight. This matchup is very much a clash of styles, as Yan prefers to stand and trade on the feet, where he can unleash his wicked KO power, while Sterling prefers to go to the ground and submit his opponents. It makes this weekend’s 135lbs title fight a fascinating matchup and a tough one to predict.

Petr Yan, Aljamain Sterling
Exclusive MMA Interviews

UFC 259 | Pro fighters make their picks for Petr Yan vs Aljamain Sterling title fight

Cole Shelton - March 3, 2021

In the first of three title fights on the stacked UFC 259 pay-per-view, Petr Yan is set to defend his bantamweight title for the first time. Heading into the fight, Yan is a -120 favorite with the comeback on the American at -110. Ahead of the fight, BJPENN.com reached out to several pro fighters to get their predictions for the scrap. The pros are actually split on this one just like the odds have it as a pick’em fight.

Petr Yan
Exclusive MMA Interviews

Petr Yan plans a "very violent finish" to defend his belt against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259

Cole Shelton - March 1, 2021

Petr Yan is confident he will remain the UFC’s bantamweight champion after Saturday night. In the first of three title fights on the stacked pay-per-view card, Yan is set to defend his belt against Aljamain Sterling. It’s a very intriguing matchup as the Russian is a striker while Sterling should have a grappling advantage. However, Yan isn’t worried about Sterling’s grappling.

TJ-Dillashaw
Petr Yan

TJ Dillashaw hoping for immediate title shot in UFC return: "I’m ready to go straight for the belt"

Adam Martin - February 22, 2021

UFC bantamweight TJ Dillashaw is hoping for an immediate title shot in his UFC return, saying that he’s “ready to go straight for the belt.” Dillashaw has not fought since January 2019 after he testing positive for PEDs following a TKO loss to Henry Cejudo at UFC on ESPN+ 1. Dillashaw was then suspended for two years by USADA, but he recently completed his suspension and is now ready to return to the cage. There has been plenty of speculation about who Dillashaw could fight in his Octagon comeback, with whispers that he could get a title shot against UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan. Remember, Dillashaw didn’t lose his belt, he vacated it. So in his mind, there is a justification for him coming back to fight for the belt despite the PEDs.

Petr Yan
Kevin Holland

Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling engage in heated online feud, UFC middleweight Kevin Holland intervenes

Adam D Martin - February 21, 2021

UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan and rival Aljamain Sterling engaged in a heated online feud, with Kevin Holland coming to the rescue. Yan and Sterling meet on March 6 in the co-main event of UFC 259, with Yan’s bantamweight belt on the line. The two rivals have been going back-and-forth on their social media accounts for seemingly the last year or so, and they will finally be able to put an end to their bitter feud next month. In the meantime, they continue to go after each other on Twitter. Only this time, a familiar face stopped by to lend a helping hand.

Petr Yan
Petr Yan

Petr Yan sends a video to Aljamain Sterling showcasing what is to come at UFC 259

Adam Martin - February 19, 2021

UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan sent top contender Aljamain Sterling a video of what he is preparing to do to him at UFC 259. Yan and Sterling will mix it up on March 6 when the two meet in the co-main event of UFC 259. The two bantamweight stars have been chatty with each other on social media in the buildup to this fight, which has been entertaining for fans to watch. In March, they will finally be able to get their hands on each other at UFC 259. In a video that Yan sent to Sterling posted on his social media, he showed “Funk Master” a taste of what’s to come.

Petr Yan
Petr Yan

Petr Yan discusses his gameplan for upcoming fight with Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259

Harry Kettle - February 3, 2021

Petr Yan has discussed his planned strategy for his highly anticipated title fight against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259. The two men are set to meet for the UFC Bantamweight Championship in March on a card that will feature three title fights, although you could argue that this is the most personal out of the three.

UFC 267, Aljamain Sterling, Petr Yan
MMA News

Petr Yan: 'I don't know what happened to Aljamain Sterling's big mouth'

Drake Riggs - February 2, 2021

In the build-up to the long-awaited bantamweight showdown between champion Petr Yan and challenger Aljamain Sterling, there’s been no shortage of trash talk. However, things have gone a bit quieter on Sterling’s end in the eyes of Yan.