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
Many fans believe Chimaev would be worthy of a title shot if he were to beat Burns.
Intriguingly, Usman helped Burns to prepare for this fight.
UFC president Dana White did suggest this week, however, that Colby Covington could be next for Chimaev if the “Wolf” wins tonight.
UFC 273 LIVE
Former welterweight title challenger Burns (20-4) emerges now, also to cheers.
The Brazilian, 35, bounced back from his unsuccessful title shot against friend and former teammate Kamaru Usman by outpointing Stephen Thompson last time out.
UFC 273 LIVE
Russian-born Swede Chimaev is out first. The 27-year-old is 10-0 with 10 finishes. He is 4-0 in the UFC, having absorbed just one significant strike in those bouts – somehow.
He sprints to the ring upon emerging in front of a raucous crowd.
UFC 273 LIVE
An entertaining fight and the right result.
Next up, the one fans have been waiting for...
Khamzat Chimaev vs Gilbert Burns.
Khamzat Chimaev’s moment of truth arrives in UFC 273 clash with Gilbert Burns
The most-hyped prospect in the UFC faces his toughest test yet, before two title fights top the card
UFC 273 LIVE
Mackenzie Dern def. Tecia Torres via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).
UFC 273 LIVE
Dern vs Torres – Round 3
The women trade leg kicks. Dern misses with a front kick upstairs but will try for a single-leg takedown now.
Torres with an up-kick that seems to hurt Dern! Now a spinning back kick to the body.
Torres connects with some right hands and floors Dern with a well-timed low kick. She allows Dern to stand.
Torres now exhibits her superior striking, mixing up her kicks as the fight ends.
UFC 273 LIVE
Dern vs Torres – Round 2
Dern cycles through a couple of submission attempts on the canvas – a leg lock, a knee bar...
Dern is now seated on Torres’ stomach, with Torres’ head behind her back. Dern throws some back elbows.
Torres survives an intriguing round.
UFC 273 LIVE
Dern vs Torres – Round 2
Dern jumps into guard on a standing Torres!
She looks for a triangle briefly, then considers a guillotine, and now a Kimura!
Torres hits the mat and has somehow escaped the hold! Wow!
UFC 273 LIVE
Dern vs Torres – Round 1
Torres with a couple of stomps to Dern’s lead leg. Dern responds with two decent right hands.
Dern then lands a body kick before connecting with two more right straights!
Torres ends the round with some side push kicks.
UFC 273 LIVE
Dern vs Torres – Round 1
Dern, who fights out of Brazil, is aggressive with her striking from the get-go.
She also tries to grab Torres a couple of times, risking head clashes.
Dern keeps pressing forward, and Torres ducks her head and swings blind hooks.
Dern grabs Torres against the fence, but the “Tiny Tornado” reverses the position.
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