With Henry Cejudo retiring, a new UFC Bantamweight Champion was crowned at UFC 251 on Yas Island this weekend.
#6 Jose Aldo is one of the greatest Featherweights, if not the greatest, of all-time. However, he actually stepped in to his fight Saturday night 0-1 as a Bantamweight, after a close loss in his 135 pound debut. In his way was #3 Petr Yan, looking to capture his first UFC Championship.
Strong GnP to end the first by @PetrYanUFC ----#UFC251 is LIVE on ESPN+ PPV https://t.co/2F9xYFynoh #InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi pic.twitter.com/xCQEYOoV4j
— UFC (@ufc) July 12, 2020
The fight started with a brilliant back and forth, and saw the round end in Aldo getting pummeled away on the ground. The next two rounds were much more even, with the fourth round solidly going to Yan. Heading into the fifth, Aldo's corner made it clear that he needed to win the round and probably get a finish.
-- Scorecards heading to the fifth? -- #UFC251 pic.twitter.com/Wm2fTok51t
— UFC (@ufc) July 12, 2020
Instead, Yan came out and cracked the legendary Aldo, sending him to the mat. A crucifix followed, with heavy strikes. This continued for several minutes, in a one sided drubbing. In the fifth round, the fight was stopped, and Yan became the new Bantamweight champion.
THE SOUND OF THESE SHOTS -- #UFC251 pic.twitter.com/Wrv2yiNKqY
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) July 12, 2020
Yan became the third Bantamweight Champion since last year, with TJ Dillashaw vacating the title due to a failed drug test, and Cejudo retiring.
You can see our full, live coverage of UFC 251 from Fight Island at this link, and check out our show recap podcast at this link. Stay tuned to our relaunch of FightfulMMA.com in August, headed up by new Lead MMA Editor Shakuel Mahjouri.
