One of three main events of the evening at UFC 259 saw Aljamain Sterling beat Petr Yan via DQ to win the UFC bantamweight title.
Take a look below at the full highlights
Aljamain Sterling def. Petr Yan via DQ (intentional foul) R4 4:29
After years of fighting for this moment, Aljamain Sterling started hot right out of the gate against Petr Yan. As time went on, however, Sterling was getting tired and Yan was trying to take advantage. Taking Sterling down with takedowns of his own, Yan hit an illegal knee to a downed Sterling. After a few minutes, the fight was called off. Sterling was able to win the UFC bantamweight title via DQ, while two refs had Yan leading before the DQ.
A PERFECT SHOT -- @PetrYanUFC has the contender reeling! #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/rULZRsv3M0
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
Welcome to the first champ rounds of the night... -- #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/EbVz9NEPow
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
That is it. #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/xEyNYSkl9C
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
Due to an intentional foul, @FunkMasterMMA is the new bantamweight champion. #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/AlNLboFIlr
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
Islam Makhachev def. Drew Dober via submission (arm triangle) R3 1:37
In a bout between two rising lightweights, Islam Makhachev was able to punish Drew Dober enough to potentially make it to the top ten of the UFC's rankings. Dober tried to make it four in a row via some kind of knockout, but Makhachev’s overall ground game, a special of Khabib Nurmagomedov, ended up being too much for Dober. Makhachev landed one final takedown before tapping Dober out.
---- @MakhachevMMA is absolutely smothering... #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/fqH7u72E3Y
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
THE REAL DEAL!
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
---- @MakhachevMMA displayed why he has top five potential.
[ Watch the #UFC259 PPV: https://t.co/RtY8CF7PWc ] pic.twitter.com/rAT87BkQRO
Aleksandar Rakic def. Thiago Santos via decision (unanimous) (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
In a fight that felt like a stalemate, Aleksandar Rakic was able to outlast Thiago Santos. Both fighters hit solid leg shots, with Rakic having better movement. Rakic's efficient shots ended up securing him the win. The loss is Santos' third in a row since fighting Jon Jones for the UFC Light Heavyweight Title.
Competitive at 205! How did you score it? --
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
[ Watch the #UFC259 PPV: https://t.co/RtY8CF7PWc ] pic.twitter.com/W80EZGneDS
-- @Rakic_UFC outlasts Santos over three rounds. #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/qJ2Zop5AdP
— UFC (@ufc) March 7, 2021
UFC 259 takes place inside the UFC Apex Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on March 6. The pay-per-view card is headlined by Jan Blachowicz vs. Israel Adesanya. Keep up with Fightful for all your fight night coverage.
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