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What’s better than a championship UFC fight?
A championship UFC rematch between two fighters who cannot stand one another!
That’s the case with UFC Bantamweight Champion Aljamain Sterling of Long Island and interim champ Petr Yan. The two are set for a bad blood bantamweight title unification rematch on April 9 in Jacksonville.
Here’s a refresher course on their history:
March, 2021: Sterling vs. Yan. In the fourth round of a fight Yan was winning, Sterling dropped to a knee in the center of the octagon. The referee said, “grounded,” informing Yan that Sterling was a downed opponent and should be protected from a hit.
Seconds later, Yan uncorked an illegal knee to Sterling’s head, sending Sterling to the canvas and bringing the fight to a halt.
Sterling was unable to continue; the foul was declared intentional. Sterling was declared the winner, and the title changed hands.
Yan immediately labeled Sterling “an actor” on Twitter and demanded a rematch. However, Sterling of Uniondale underwent neck surgery, putting the sequel on hold until this spring.
Since that fight, the two have exchanged countless “Twitter barbs,” and Yan has gone on to win the interim title in Sterling’s absence.
Which sets up for one juicy rematch April 9 in Jacksonville.
Top photo: Twitter
