One of the most anticipated rematches in MMA history will take place on April 9. The undisputed UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling will fight the interim champion of the division, Petr Yan in the co-main event of UFC 273.
The last contest between the two at UFC 259 ended with Yan getting disqualified for hitting Aljamain Sterling with an illegal knee. As a result, he had to give up the belt despite dominating every minute of the fight.
SO. MUCH. HEAT. ????@FunkmasterMMA and @PetrYanUFC settle the score next week at #UFC273 ????
???????? #UFC273 | Sterling vs Yan 2 | Order at https://t.co/shB938Ea6T pic.twitter.com/9mL2Tls1fb
— UFC_AUSNZ (@UFC_AUSNZ) April 1, 2022
Although the rematch was supposed to be immediate, Aljo went through a neck surgery which delayed the fight for almost a year. But now it is finally set to go down in Jacksonville, Florida this weekend. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the fans will finally witness the true 135lbs king being crowned at the event.
UFC 273 Co-Main Event: Aljamain Sterling vs Petr Yan, Stats
Stats | Aljamain Sterling | Petr Yan |
Wins | 20 | 16 |
Losses | 3 | 2 |
Height | 1.7 m | 1.7 m |
Weight | 135lbs | 135lbs |
Reach | 180.3 cm | 170.2 cm |
Age | 32 | 29 |
UFC 273 Co-Main Event: Aljamain Sterling vs Petr Yan, Fight Breakdown
Petr Yan is a massive favourite to win the contest this weekend. It is hard to recall when the champion was such a massive underdog according to betting odds. But it is the fight game and nothing is set in stone until the very last second of the bout.
Although rounds 3 and 4 were overwhelmingly in favour of Yan, the first two rounds were a lot closer than what fans may remember. In round 1, Aljo almost had twice as many significant strikes as Yan. Although the difference was slightly less, Sterling once again outstruck Yan in the second. Petr landed 24 significant strikes in the initial two rounds, whereas Aljo landed 44.
But the fight turned in the Russian’s favour from round 3 onwards. Petr landed 30 significant strikes in round 3 as opposed to 29 from Aljo. Yan also had 100% takedown accuracy as well. He took down Aljo 7 times out of 7. Just when it seemed that the fight was coming to an end in the 4th round, Yan lost his composition and let off that illegitimate knee.
If the first fight is any indication, Aljamain has to maintain his distance in the fight. He will have a significant advantage when it comes to his reach. Hence, the path to victory for him is to keep circling on the outside and use his long limbs to outstrike Yan.
On the other hand, Petr Yan will look to engage Aljo in a clinch right away. Yan is way more potent with his striking. He will try to use that to keep Sterling on the fence and attempt a takedown. The UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya said that momentum will be the key to attaining victory. While Aljo will try to break Yan’s momentum, the 29-year old look to gain it.