Shortly after being awarded the UFC bantamweight title, Aljamain Sterling issues a statement.
Sterling claimed the belt after Petr Yan delivered an illegal knee during their fight Saturday night at UFC 259.
An emotional Sterling had no desire to leave the Octagon with the title in that fashion, but he will be recognized as the new bantamweight champion.
“Not the way I ever want to win a fight,” Sterling posted on social media. “It was close,c 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.
“Yan is a bad dude! WE WILL DO IT AGAIN!”
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.
Yan is a bad dude! WE WILL DO IT AGAIN!#UFC259— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) March 7, 2021
An immediate rematch is very likely to be scheduled once both fighters are cleared and ready to return.