Aljamain Sterling vs Petr Yan — Fight recap

Aljamain Sterling won by disqualification in round four at 4:29 when referee Mark Smith stopped the fight after Petr Yan delivered an illegal knee to a grounded opponent. Sterling landed 97 significant strikes at 42% accuracy while managing only one successful takedown on seven attempts, controlling the action for 3:25.

Yan dominated the grappling exchanges, converting all seven takedown attempts with 100% efficiency and maintaining 4:12 of control time, while also landing 86 significant strikes at 62% accuracy and securing one knockdown. The striking disparity favored Yan, who landed cleaner combinations at a higher rate, though Sterling showed resilience with effective body work, connecting on 43 of 60 body strikes.

The disqualification marked a controversial conclusion to their bantamweight title rematch, leaving questions about the fight's trajectory had it continued. Sterling's victory secured his status as champion despite the unconventional finish, while Yan faced immediate scrutiny over the illegal technique that cost him the belt.