Sterling responds to critics after DQ win: 'I didn't do anything wrong'

Aljamain Sterling is baffled by the criticism he's received since capturing the UFC bantamweight title with a disqualification victory over Petr Yan at UFC 259.

"It's bizarre because the people who are upset about it are acting as if I did something wrong," Sterling told ESPN's Brett Okamoto. "I didn't do anything wrong."

Yan landed an illegal knee deemed intentional by referee Mark Smith in the fourth round Saturday, leading to the disqualification result and Sterling's title win.

Many people on social media have taken issue with Sterling posing with the belt in photos, but the 31-year-old said he doesn't feel like the champion and isn't celebrating the title.

"I'm not celebrating. My friends are celebrating that they're here with me right now, and they want me to enjoy the moment," Sterling said. "I'm sorry that that offends people. I don't want to celebrate it in terms of holding the belt and doing all this stuff. I'm not doing that. But I don't mind taking a few pictures with my friends if that's what they want."

Yan has also criticized Sterling since the fight, but "Funk Master" questioned the former champ's MMA knowledge after he threw the illegal strike in the first place.

"Rules are there for a reason," Sterling said. "I'm not saying I should've won the belt from a disqualification, but I don't think he should be able to keep it either. How do you become a world champion and not know the rules?"