Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan will have to wait a little bit longer to get their hands on each other after their world title rematch was pushed back a month to UFC 273 in April from its original date on March 5 — but the two rivals can’t quite agree on why the change was made.
Speaking on the Weekly Scraps podcast, Sterling explained the UFC’s decision to delay the bout (which came as the original UFC 272 headliner between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway was cancelled) was down to Yan not being vaccinated against Covid-19, forcing the change of date — but Yan later took to social media to rubbish those claims.
“Quick update,” said Sterling. “I know you guys probably seen some of the news, but yes, they are talking about pushing our fight back to April, not because of me. This is what I was told that ‘Yan isn’t vaccinated. Yan isn’t vaccinated so he can’t fight in March. I’m Yan and I’m not vaccinated so I can’t fight in March.’
“I actually respect his gangster [stance]. If this is the real reason I actually respect his stance, I respect it, but it doesn’t make any sense. And I’m making fun of it because it’s like, was he going to be vaccinated in April. I don’t think so. What are we doing?”
Yan, though, shot back on Twitter and called Sterling a “pathetic liar” and, well, things escalated from there.
Pathetic liar desperately trying to look good and control the narrative but it won’t work. I’m vaccinated and ready to bash you anywhere even tomorrow. UFC simply doesn’t want fake champion to headline the event. https://t.co/aPG3WECd5m
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) January 12, 2022
Lmao I’m only repeating what I was told from the bosses 🤷🏾♂️. Don’t get your potato tits in a twist! I’d happily fuc k you up tmw too. That can easily be arranged. Мышь https://t.co/lI4IuU2pYA
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 12, 2022
Lmao I’m only repeating what I was told from the bosses 🤷🏾♂️. Don’t get your potato tits in a twist! I’d happily fuc k you up tmw too. That can easily be arranged. Мышь https://t.co/lI4IuU2pYA
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 12, 2022
Yan said he’s vaccinated. So someone is telling lies 🤷🏾♂️ Either way I can’t wait to properly beat this man’s ass https://t.co/M7wbuPOWlB
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 12, 2022
In all seriousness…Why would I do that? I got a call. The fights being pushed and the reasoning was because of Yan. Whether or not it’s true, idgaf 🤷🏾♂️
I’m just annoyed the fight is now 12 weeks instead of 8. Im gonna silence the “boogie man” for good https://t.co/GwsNKk0eVt
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 12, 2022
Actually we were told that the fight was moved to April 9 so they could have a backup ready when you pull out again bitch https://t.co/EOwH9agRm2
— Petr “No Mercy” Yan (@PetrYanUFC) January 12, 2022
The fact that you’re delusional enough to think another fighter is “bitching out” against you tickles my balls more than it will when I drop them on your face April 9th.
Every last word you say will be hilarious to say to you as I piss pound your face from full mount. #Receipts https://t.co/3i9cYfweTV
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) January 12, 2022
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