What Is the Illegal Knee Disqualification Controversy Between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan?

The ill-fated ending to Petr ‘No Mercy’ Yan’s bantamweight title defense against Aljamain Sterling in 2021 has drawn attention to 135 lbs division. The duo first clashed against one another at UFC 259, which saw the Funkmaster walk away with the title, but not in a way he intended to. Due to miscommunication between Yan and his corner, the Russian fighter delivered an illegal knee in the fourth round that caused him to drop the title via disqualification. Ever since he has been trying to correct that mistake, and finally, the interim champ is getting that opportunity this weekend.

If not for the illegal, the fight could have seen a proper conclusion, but sadly, it was simply not meant to be. After trading shots at one another on Twitter, the duo will finally get their chance to settle the score once and for all at the upcoming PPV this weekend.

When is Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan rematch?

UFC tried to book the rematch on October 30th, 2021 at UFC 267, but due to an unfortunate injury, Sterling was pulled from the bout. However, Yan decided to remain on the card and face top bantamweight contender Cory Sandhagen for the interim title. Both fighters at this moment are walking into the highly anticipated rematch as champions, but only one will walk away as the undisputed king.

Also Read: Was Petr Yan a Bouncer Before His UFC Career?

The rematch is going to take place on April 9th at UFC 273, at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, and will serve as the co-main event. Sterling hasn’t fought inside the octagon since his DQ win over Yan last year. Meanwhile, Petr has been keeping himself quite busy and will walk into the ring as the more active fighter that could give him an edge in the rematch.

Petr Yán vs Aljamain Sterling UFC Stats Comparison

The bantamweight contenders have already faced each other one’s at UFC 259, and the final stats of the 4 rounds of war pit them close to one another. Funkmaster landed more significant strikes, while Petr Yan excelled in the wrestling department. Here is a complete side-by-side comparison between the two, as the bantamweight champions prepare to go toe-to-toe.

Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan’s Twitter spat

The duo has been at each other’s throats on Twitter, if not in real life. Neither man has allowed even a single opportunity to go without taking aim at one another. In the first series of Twitter exchanges that took place in 2021, the sterling claimed that a rematch with the Russian fighter is not worth his time.

No Mercy immediately fired back, stating that Sterling lost his dignity inside the octagon because of the way he won the title and how he behaved.

Funkmaster then offered a hilarious rebuttal, demanding his arch-nemesis to study the rule book of mixed martial arts before stepping into the octagon again. He reiterated that the reason he lost is due to his own decision, and the fault falls on his shoulder.

Also Read: Why Does UFC FIghter Chan Sung Jung Aka ‘The Korean Zombie’ Refuse to Blink During a Bout?

In a recent Twitter post, Sterling made bold claims about the delays and why the rematch is being pushed. He put the entire blame on the Russian fighter and stated that he isn’t willing to face him.

In response, Yan called him ‘fake champion’ and stated that he was making false only to keep the fans in the dark. He also confirmed that he is ready to face again anytime, anywhere.

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Who do you think will get their hands raised at UFC 273? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.