UFC 273: Aljamain Sterling edges split decision in title rematch

There were no disqualifications in the bantamweight title rematch between Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan at UFC 273, but it seems the argument between the pair may still rage on.

Reigning champion Sterling retained his title and unified the belts with a split decision win over interim champ Yan in the co-main event in Jacksonville, Florida, but the bout ended with the two parties holding very different views over how the bout should have been scored.

Sterling dominated Rounds 2 and 3 with his grappling, while Yan came storming back in Rounds 4 and 5, with each of the rounds seemingly pretty straightforward to score.

The round that split the judges, and effectively decided the fight, was the first, with two judges, Sal D’Amato and Eliseo Rodriguez, scoring it for Sterling, while the third judge, Chris Lee, scoring it for Yan.

It meant that Sterling earned the win via split decision to continue his winning streak and fully establish himself as the champion after he initially won the title via disqualification due to an illegal Yan knee in their first meeting.

After the fight, Sterling said he “outpointed” Yan in the first round, but Yan had a different view, and demanded a second rematch with the American.

But, with Sterling and TJ Dillashaw exchanging not-so-pleasant pleasantries after the fight, the Russian may have to wait for his next shot at the title.