Combatants across the UFC took to social media Saturday after Petr Yan lost his bantamweight championship to Aljamain Sterling on a fourth-round disqualification for an illegal knee.
Yan was leading the bout and gaining momentum when he struck a downed Sterling, prompting the disqualification. The Russian star was defending the title for the first time and led on two of three scorecards when he committed the violation.
Aljamain came in great shape, he fought forward every second of that fight, not his fault he got illegally kneed. Congratulations Champion, you did it
— BONY (@JonnyBones) March 7, 2021
And the Oscar goes to @FakeMaster for Best Actor in a Title Fight and Petr Yan needs a crash course in the rules of the sport he was once champion in. Hey Petr now you’re a cheater too, bitch.
— TJ Dillashaw (@TJDillashaw) March 7, 2021
That was very illegal, it doesn’t get much worse than that. Yan was already flirting with danger by throwing those axe kicks when Aljo was down. The doctors made the right call, you can’t let the fighter make the decision to continue after taking a shot like that. #UFC259
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) March 7, 2021
For the record, I know for a fact that Petr Yan is NOT a dirty fighter. He was trying to score offense from all positions the whole fight and he listened to his corner in that scenario. Such an unfortunate situation for both men. #UFC259
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) March 7, 2021
Aljo took that knee like a Champ #UFC259 #TooSoon 🤷🏽♂️
— Cub Swanson (@CubSwanson) March 7, 2021
There’s like 3 rules in MMA. No knees to the head of a kneeling opponent has always been one of them. The ref comes in and explains the rules, in the locker room before the fight, and asks if you understand. There’s no way you can be like, I didn’t know I couldn’t knee.
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) March 7, 2021
You should never have to ask your corner the rules mid fight.... #UFC259
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) March 7, 2021
Feel for @funkmasterMMA I couldn’t accept that belt that way either...feel for you brother! All heart man! #UFC259
— Stephen Thompson (@WonderboyMMA) March 7, 2021
He better not take that belt with him...
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) March 7, 2021
Congratulations to the new undisputed champ @funkmasterMMA !! I know he wouldn’t of chose to win that way but it wasn’t his fault. Let’s go #serralongo
— Chris Weidman (@chrisweidman) March 7, 2021
The new champion also chimed in on the unusual title change:
Not the way I ever want to win a fight. It was close, competitive and filled with action. I felt the knee was intentional, especially after the ref announced I was a downed opponent, so I didn’t expect to be hit.
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 7, 2021
Yan is a bad dude! WE WILL DO IT AGAIN!#UFC259
