Aljamain Sterling put some criticism about his legitimacy as bantamweight champion to rest on Saturday when he defeated Petr Yan in their UFC 273 rematch.
After winning the belt by disqualification roughly 13 months ago, Sterling (21-3 MMA, 13-3 UFC) returned to the octagon for his anticipated encounter with Yan (16-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC). He came out on the triumphant end, earning a split decision victory in the co-main event matchup at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla.
Check below for the top Twitter reactions to Sterling’s title defense over Yan at UFC 273.
MMA Junkie
Nick Kalikas
UFC
UFC
UFC
Teddy Atlas
Sterling is very talented and a quick starter. Yan is very deliberate and steady. #UFC273
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) April 10, 2022
Caposa
Sterling already taking it slower. The goal is definitely to conserve energy.
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) April 10, 2022
Alexander K. Lee
I can almost hear the sound of Yan’s brain downloading and processing #UFC273
— Alexander K Lee (@AlexanderKLee) April 10, 2022
Kevin Iole
Sterling is moving so much you have to wonder about his cardio if this fight goes a long way
— Kevin Iole (@KevinI) April 10, 2022
Tai Tuivasa
Henry Cejudo
Is that a F**k you Sterling chant? And I thought I had heat! #UFC273
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) April 10, 2022
Teddy Atlas
Yan is the boss, pushing Sterling back and then trying to catch him going out. #UFC273
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) April 10, 2022
Bloody Elbow
Takedown for Sterling off a low single dump. And he’s on Yan’s back with the body triangle in place. #UFC273
— Bloody Elbow (@BloodyElbow) April 10, 2022
Belal Muhammad
Oh wow all it takes is one zig and a bad zag
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 10, 2022
Sodiq Yusuff
Luke Thomas
This is obviously a Sterling round. Question is whether judges give it a 10-8. I wouldn’t, but we’ll see if it goes far enough.
— Luke Thomas (@lthomasnews) April 10, 2022
Shane Burgos
Bryce Mitchell
https://twitter.com/ThugnastyMMA/status/1513011361084854273
Henry Cejudo
The Human Backpack at work, outstanding ground control by Aljo #UFC273
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) April 10, 2022
Belal Muhammad
Yan fighting with anger aljo fighting with brains
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 10, 2022
Casey O’Neill
Teddy Atlas
Yan needs a comeback. But how much fuel was burned defending on the floor? #UFC273
— Teddy Atlas (@TeddyAtlasReal) April 10, 2022
John Morgan
Round 4 to Yan, and I’ve got this 39-37 for Sterling. With that first round, could easily be 38-38 going into the fifth. Tense. #UFC273
— John Morgan (@JohnMorgan_MMA) April 10, 2022
Eric Nicksick
I’m coaching round 5 like it’s 2-2 going into 5, regardless of what I think the scorecard is. You just can’t take for certain what these judges see. #UFC273
— Eric Nicksick (@Eric_XCMMA) April 10, 2022
Julianna Peña
RJ Clifford
Aljo is fighting like he’s sitting on a lead.
— RJ Clifford (@RJcliffordMMA) April 10, 2022
Teddy Atlas
Aaron Bronsteter
Very high level fight between Sterling and Yan.
I have it a 47-47 draw. I suspect scorecards could be all over the place.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) April 10, 2022
Sean O’Malley
Andreas Hale
A lot of disrespect for Aljo heading into the Yan rematch. He fought his ass off and the naysayers should be silenced. #UFC273
— Andreas Hale (@AndreasHale) April 10, 2022
Belal Muhammad
High level fight the aljo haters need to respect him now I got it a draw
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) April 10, 2022
MMA Junkie
Henry Cejudo
https://twitter.com/HenryCejudo/status/1513016934312390662
Michael Carroll
Aljamain Sterling earns his 12th win as a UFC bantamweight, second most in the division’s history (Dillashaw, 13). #UFC273
— Michael Carroll (@MJCflipdascript) April 10, 2022
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