Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan 2 full fight video highlights

Watch Aljamain Sterling vs. Petr Yan 2 full full fight video highlights from UFC 273’s co-main event on Saturday night, courtesy of the UFC and other outlets.

UFC bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling (21-3) collided against interim champ Petr Yan (16-3) in a long-awaited title unification rematch at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Fla. It was broadcast live by ESPN+.

Catch the video highlights below.

For more on Yan vs. Sterling 2, check out the live blog from MMA Fighting’s Jed Meshew.

Round 1: Yan out in orthodox while Sterling is in southpaw. Sterling opens up with a pair of kicks. Yan has already cut the cage, and Sterling is back behind the lines of the Octagon. Yan’s footwork and guarding is excellent.

Sterling looking composed in there and shoots a double from distance that Yan sprawls out. It is strange that the crowd is chanting paradoxically “Let’s Go, Peter!” and “U.S.A.”

Sterling’s approach to this fight is much more calculated as he rides his bike looking for shots. Yan can’t close the range just yet and Sterling is landing some decent kicks thus far.

Yan isn’t throwing much, and Sterling keeps moving enough to get kicks at the range. Sterling is still moving well and he isn’t letting Yan get in the way.

Sterling tries to make a quick tie-up, but Yan immediately drops it. We’re now back in the hunt. Yan sprints ahead, but Yan snorts at them all as Sterling ducks underneath and returns with big shots for Yan. Both men looking a little tense.

Sterling staying on that bike and landing some kicks while Yan is trying to chase him down but can’t find anything clean. Yan getting a little wild with kicks and hooks and that’s a bit odd. Sterling never stops moving and he’s doing a good job of feinting takedowns but Yan lands a big left hand during a tie up as the round ends.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Sterling.

Round 2: A lot of people are gonna give that round to Yan, but he landed so little that was clean. Sterling’s consistent kicks to my body won me the round. Yan is usually at this point where he starts to move.

Round 2 starts same with Sterling throwing some kicks. Yan continues to march him down, his landing to the back of the body being perfect. Yan throwing his own kicks now though, and that’s a good adjustment.

Now they’re hand-fighting in space and Sterling shoots but Yan stuffs it easily. Yan is a ferocious takedown defender. Sterling is a ferocious takedown defender. Sterling has a pat on his back! That happened so quickly!

Sterling has the back and a body triangle. Yan is putting Sterling’s back against a fence, but that is not good news. Sterling is the backpack player. Yan is fighting with Sterling, and Sterling seems to be speaking to him. This body lock doesn’t seem to be going anywhere. Sterling has been strapped in.

Two minutes remain and the crowd is booing, but the can kick rocks. Yan gave up on Sterling and cannot get him off. Sterling is still struggling to keep his arm strong while landing some chipsping shots. Yan then moves belly down and he unloads some big right-hands. Sterling hammering Yan from the top!

Yan is holding on to an arm in order to live, but Sterling is pounding his head! Yan is finally able to roll over to his back, which is much more comfortable than lying on your stomach. Sterling continues to push Yan to the ground. Yan is surviving and will make it through the final round, but this was an incredible effort by the champion.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-8 Sterling, 20-17 Sterling.

Round 3: Sterling’s corner believe that Yan is breaking after that round. Although I am not certain about this, it was an impressive round by the champion. Certainly shutting haters up that round. He looks as fresh and vibrant for the third.

Round 3 starts similar but Yan appears to have more urgency. Yan is now stepping up with more volume and throwing kicks. Yan defends Sterling as he ducks below for a takedown. Now Yan has Sterling against the fence. The two of them get space, and Yan tries to take down Sterling. Sterling hits him hard! Yan stumbles and Sterling fires two. Yan attempts to get up, but Sterling grabs his back immediately and we’re off!

This freaking performance is from Sterling. He has a second body triangle, and his arm nearly feeds under. Yan fighting hands. Sterling, however, is the master of breaking the lock and rolling. Yan looking GASSED right now, which is definitely a first.

Yan doing well on defense this round and Sterling hasn’t put together a lot of damage this time around. His control is increasing. Dominant showing still. Yan is in serious trouble. He’s losing the fight and even if he can stay alive, tough to see him winning if he gives up another takedown.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Sterling, 30-26 Sterling overall.

Round 4: Yan’s corner showing a little bit of panic right now. Their fighter is in serious trouble and they have never seen him before. He tells them straight up that he needs this round.

Sterling looks clean to begin but Yan goes for a bad takedown which causes Sterling to stumble back. Yan really is stepping up the pressure and Sterling is reacting badly now. He’s looking for bad, desperate shots, knowing how dominant he’s been on the ground, and that’s allow Yan to tee off.

Sterling takes another down that Yan sprawls on and Yan makes his way back. Sterling is holding on to the ropes, and he’s now got his rear waist against the fence. Yan is landing very well after they separate. Sterling throwing back more but eating more.

Yan throws a kick that Sterling catches and immediately moves to the back but Yan is able to shake him overtop and now Yan is inside Sterling’s guard. Not sure if this is good for Yan though. He is tuning Sterling up on the feet. But Yan seems content to stay on top, and Sterling trying to turn on a hip to start an offensive series. Yan is not much more than chipping shots.

90 seconds left and we’re still here, with Yan content to hold the top and while he’s winning the round, he needs more. Yan stands up and hits a powerful right hand. Sterling then rolls, and Yan is back in the waistlock. Sterling attempts to roll, but Yan is now in half guard and landing good elbows. Yan starting to assert himself here while Sterling still looking to roll up on a sweep. Yan wins the round, but he is unable to make it.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Yan, 39-36 Sterling.

Round 5: The scorecards on this one could be VERY interesting. That first round is anyone’s guess and they may not have given Sterling a 10-8 for the second round. This round is crucial for both men.

Sterling is looking super fresh after this round. He’s back on the bike, kicking and revving. Yan kicks his legs out from under him though but he’s back up. Sterling fires two shots in space but Yan stops him. However, Sterling does back up to the fence. Sterling then is standing on his hips.

Yan can break and land a great left hand. Yan is marching in, while Sterling pops the jab. Sterling does another super-telegraphed takedown. Sterling breaks off and fires another takedown. This time, he gets a clinch. Yan gets to the fence and Sterling just holding position, looking for the chance to get the takedown. Yan refuses, and throws in his support.

In space, Sterling shoots again, gets stuffed, and shoots again. Although he threw some punches in the middle, he’s now spamming takedowns while Yan sprawls them all. Yan has strong hips.

Yan putting together offense, when he isn’t sprawled and Yan doesn’t jump knee-deep in his face. This hurts Sterling! Sterling was ducking down and ate it! Yan is now Yan’s rear waist-cinch, and Sterling is in turtle. Torrid pace in this one as Yan lets Sterling away.

Sterling is still spamming takedowns, but Yan does an excellent job. Sterling almost powers through a double but Yan’s hips are brilliant and he ends up getting the turtle waist lock again. Sterling moves slowly, but Yan manages to land some good shots. With 10 seconds left, Yan is able to get the back but Sterling stands and Yan breaks. This one is going to come down to the judges and that could mean ANYTHING. Great fight though.

MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9 Yan, 48-46 Sterling overall.

Aljamain Sterling defeats Petr Yan by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47).