Tag: Aljamain Sterling
Petr Yan Gives His Prediction For Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan has provided his prediction for the expected next title fight in his division.
Ever since he recorded his second successful title defense last October at UFC 280, it’s been widely expected that Aljamain Sterling will welcome former two-division champion Henry Cejudo back to the Octagon next.
While there is still yet to be official confirmation of the bout, it appears to be all but finalized. And after reported showdowns in March and April didn’t come to fruition, both parties have named UFC 288 on May 6 as the likely date.
Ever since talk of the bout picked up, predictions and analysis have been consistently floated around the MMA community.
While some have cited Cejudo’s form prior to his 2020 retirement to support their view that “Triple C” is the man to dethrone “Funk Master,” others think the reigning champ will make it an unsuccessful comeback for the 2008 Olympic gold medalist.
Yan, a former two-time opponent of Sterling’s, sits in the latter group.
Yan Backs Former Opponent Sterling In Planned Next Defense
During his appearance at UFC Las Vegas media day on Wednesday ahead of his own return to the Octagon, Yan was asked for his take on the planned bantamweight showdown in New Jersey later this year.
Having shared the Octagon with Sterling on two separate occasions, feeling the full force of the champ’s grappling talents in their 2022 rematch, the Russian is well-placed to assess Sterling’s chances of victory.
And owing to Cejudo’s lengthy layoff, which will be three days short of three years should he return on May 6, “No Mercy” is giving Sterling good odds of a third successful retention.
“If this fight will (happen), I think Sterling will win,” Yan said before addressing whether Cejudo’s layoff will play a part in the result. “Yes, I think it’s gonna effect him. I don’t believe he’s gonna display his best shape.”
Before watching his division’s next championship bout, Yan has business to attend to this weekend. In the UFC Las Vegas main event, the Russian will look to return to the win column having gone 0-2 last year.
Given the controversial nature of his defeat to Sean O’Malley last October in Abu Dhabi, as well as the close nature of his rematch with “Funk Master” six months prior, it stands to reason that a victory over Merab Dvalishvili will thrust Yan straight back into contention.
Do you agree with Petr Yan’s prediction for Aljamain Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo?
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Aljamain Sterling Sympathizes With Yan After UFC 280 ‘Robbery’
UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling sympathizes with two-time adversary Petr Yan following his controversial loss to Sean O’Malley.
Sterling defeated former champion TJ Dillashaw via second-round TKO at UFC 280. A fight before on the card, Yan lost to O’Malley via split decision in one of the most exciting fights of the event.
Despite the entertainment value of Yan/O’Malley, the biggest talking point after the fight was the judges’ scorecards. Many fans and pundits felt Yan won the fight, with some believing he didn’t lose a single round against O’Malley although the fight was competitive.
Tensions between Sterling and Yan have lessened since their two fights in the Octagon. They had a cordial pre-UFC 280 run-in that went viral and the two of them sat next to each other at the pre-fight press conference without issue.
In the aftermath of Yan’s latest defeat, Sterling sympathized with the former bantamweight champion.
Aljamain Sterling Supports Petr Yan Following Controversial Loss To Sean O’Malley
During a recent appearance on The MMA Hour, Sterling gave his thoughts on Yan vs. O’Malley.
“I felt bad for Yan,” Sterling said. “I think he got robbed. O’Malley was a little shocked and perplexed after the decision as well, it caught him off guard…now he knows what it feels like when I was in the same position. The difference is I actually knew I won the fight, and he’s on the side where he won the fight and he doesn’t even know if he really won the fight until he goes back and watches. In the fight, I knew based on the strike count that I freaking won the fight.”
Sterling is referring to his UFC 273 split-decision win over Yan earlier this year. Some fans and pundits feel Yan did enough to earn the victory on the judges’ scorecards at UFC 273, on the contrary, the majority of viewers feel there was a robbery at UFC 280.
Sterling lost earlier in his career in back-to-back split decision defeats to Bryan Caraway and Raphael Assunção, as Yan now has against him and O’Malley. Nine fights later, Sterling fought for the bantamweight title against Yan at UFC 259.
When pondering his next move in the Octagon, Sterling hinted that a fight with Yan would add to his legacy. If the UFC opts to give O’Malley the next title shot, he feels it would be a massive pay-per-view draw.
Yan and Sterling could potentially meet for a third time in the Octagon and Yan will likely earn an opportunity to bounce back in a big way in his next fight.
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Get The UFC 273 Fight Results Here Now!
Who won at UFC 273?
UFC 273 features some incredible match ups between some of the best fighters in the world. A featherweight battle between the divisional kingpin and a fan favorite all action fighter. A bantamweight title fight between two top champions each with a point to prove. And a welterweight showdown between a hungry veteran and an up and coming brash upstart.
Each match holds massive stakes. No fighter can afford to lose but there can only be a victor. Who won at UFC 273? Find out the results below now!
Results
Gilbert Burns vs Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chamaev defeats Gilbert Burns by unanimous decision.
Aljamain Sterling vs Petr Yan
Aljamain Sterling defeats Petr Yan by split decision.
Alexander Volkanovski vs Korean Zombie
TBD
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News and Editorial Writer at Generation Iron, Jonathan Salmon is a writer, martial arts instructor, and geek culture enthusiast. Check out his YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and Sound Cloud for in-depth MMA analysis.