MMA Preview – Aljamain Sterling vs Petr Yan 2 at UFC 273
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ALJAMAIN STERLING VS PETR YAN FACTS
When is UFC 273? Sunday 10th April, 2022 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC 273? VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, Florida (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC 273? Click here to buy tickets for UFC 273
What channel is UFC 273 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC 273? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
ALJAMAIN STERLING VS PETR YAN LOWDOWN
Finally, Aljamain Sterling (20-3) is back to defend his title and prove he is a worthy champion. Much-needed neck surgery has postponed this rematch of the title fight which was over a year ago now. Sterling became the champion due to a disqualification. It was the right call, but he clearly milked it to turn a lot of fans against him. That said, we cannot forget what got him to the dance with five quality wins including submissions over Cody Stamann (2019) and Cory Sandhagen (2020) which sandwiched a unanimous decision over Pedro Munhoz (2019).
The people’s champion, Petr Yan (16-2) managed to get a fight in after gifting the strap with that mindless knee. He put on a performance against Sandhagen to make the strongest case of being the best fighter in the division earning an exceptional unanimous decision. That made it 11 wins in his last 12 which includes that late TKO win over the former featherweight king Jose Aldo and it should have been 12 from 12 if it was not for that careless moment.
ALJAMAIN STERLING VS PETR YAN PREDICTION
It was a 50/50 ‘pick em’ call before the fight, but as we predicted, Yan weathered early storm by defending the takedowns and his elite striking was taking the fight away from a fatiguing Sterling.
We feel the same route to victories are there for the rematch. Sterling will try and set up takedowns and scrambles with his explosive and diverse striking hoping to pounce on Yan’s back for a submission. He has some of the most dangerous jiu-jitsu in the division and now knows he does not have the skill or cardio to stand with the Russian for five rounds.
Yan knows he needs to keep the distance, avoid getting clipped with something flashy such as a flying knee and pace himself again. Sterling was able to take Yan down initially, but as the fight went on, Yan looked like the better wrestler which discouraged Sterling.
Yan will be more aware of Sterling’s threat on the ground but has the knowledge that the threat dilutes as the rounds go on and he is capable dominating the grappling exchanges over time. Sterling is likely to be more patient instead of emptying the gas tank in the first two rounds.
That said, we still feel Sterling needs to hunt an early finish. He has the ability to catch Yan with something wild and latch onto a submission, but he cannot hang with Yan for five rounds. The time off with surgery while Yan kept active only makes this tougher for Sterling and we feel the Russian will prove he is the king of the division with another measured and classy display.
This is Yan’s to lose again, and a TKO is very likely, but Sterling should make enough adjustments to remain competitive in the championship rounds.
Prediction: Yan via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value Bet: Sterling via Submission
