UFC 273 LIVE results: Volkanovski vs Korean Zombie latest updates
Re-live updates from a stacked card, where two title fights followed Khamzat Chimaev vs Gilbert Burns
Rising star Khamzat Chimaev stayed unbeaten with a split-decision win against Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 on Saturday.
Chimaev (11-0) had won his previous 10 fights via finish, absorbing just one significant strike across four UFC bouts prior to his welterweight meeting with former title challenger Burns in Jacksonville, Florida. And, while the Russian-born Swede lived up to the hype in beating the No 2-ranked 170lbs fighter in the UFC, he did not run through Burns (20-5) as some had predicted. Both men dropped one another and took each other down in a wildly entertaining fight that had the fans captivated from start to finish, with Chimaev, 28, eventually edging past the Brazilian via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).
After that highly-anticipated bout, the co-main event saw Aljamain Sterling unify the men’s bantamweight belts against Petr Yan. Jamaican-American Sterling won the title from Yan last year when the Russian was disqualified for landing an illegal knee in a fight that he looked on course to win. Yan (16-3) went on to win the interim belt late last year while Sterling (21-3) recovered from neck surgery, and their rematch at UFC 273 was fuelled by bad blood.
Many fans expected Yan to ease past Sterling, but a highly-competitive fight saw Sterling dominate his rival on the canvas in the second and third rounds, before the Russian came on strong in the final two frames – as he so often does. It all came down to a close first round, and Sterling got the nod 48-47, 47-48, 48-47. In the main event, Alexander Volkanovski put on a clinic to retain the men’s featherweight title, stopping the “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung in the fourth round as referee Herb Dean stepped in with the challenger out on his feet.
Australian Volkanovski (24-1) had dropped Sung Jung (17-7) numerous times throughout the contest, proving too fast and slick for the 35-year-old veteran. Re-live updates from the UFC 273 main card and prelims, below.
UFC 273 LIVE
A great card so far. Now it’s time for the main event...
Alexander Volkanovski (23-1) defends the men’s featherweight title against the “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung (17-6).
UFC 273 LIVE
An extremely close fight. Indy Sport actually had it as a draw. Here’s how we scored it:
Sterling 9-10 Yan
Sterling 10-8 Yan
Sterling 10-9 Yan
Sterling 9-10 Yan
Sterling 9-10 Yan
Sterling 47-47 Yan
UFC 273 LIVE
Aljamain Sterling def. Petr Yan via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47).
UFC 273 LIVE
48-47 Sterling
48-47 Yan
48-47 Sterling
STERLING GETS IT DONE! HE’S IN TEARS!
UFC 273 LIVE
Sterling vs Yan – Round 5
Yan gets free. Sterling keeps shooting for takedowns but with no set-ups. He’s telegraphing them.
Big jumping knee from Yan! He sprawls to defend a takedown attempt and takes the back!
He’s throwing punches as Sterling looks at the clock... The champion stands against the fence and moves into space.
A scramble follows after another failed takedown attempt from Sterling.
Yan establishes control and that’s how the fight ends. The pair surprisingly show mutual respect.
Who knows how this one will be scored?
UFC 273 LIVE
Sterling vs Yan – Round 5
Final round. The scores could be all over the place here. Did Sterling get a 10-8 in Round 2, 3, or both – or neither? Who won a close first round?
Sterling tries for a takedown against the fence, but Yan is holding firm. The pair separate and Yan comes forward with punches – with mixed success.
Sterling grabs Yan once more and quickly takes the back. He tries to drag Yan to the mat, while the Russian works his way to the fence.
UFC 273 LIVE
Sterling vs Yan – Round 4
Yan is throwing body punches from inside Sterling’s guard.
The Russian lands a heavy blow, and Sterling elects to stand. Yan has him back down, though, and is landing decent ground and pound...
Sterling makes it to the buzzer in relative safety.
UFC 273 LIVE
Sterling vs Yan – Round 4
Yan with a decent early combination that might have stung Sterling, and the Russian briefly looks to grapple!
The pair separate and Yan drops Sterling with a hard leg kick.
Sterling stands, but Yan is holding him from behind against the fence. The champion is able to free himself and move into space.
Nice jumping knee from Yan! Sterling with a front kick to the body, now a jab to the stomach.
Sterling grabs Yan and takes the back with ease! Yan falls to the mat but twists and half-escapes, but he’s now in Sterling’s guard.
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