Author: quyen1

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman hopes to make a major change for Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk.

The blockbuster clash between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk could be set for a major rule change following an ’emergency petition’.

Fury vs. Usyk is set for May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following the postponement of their February bout.

Fury, who holds the WBC title, suffered a nasty cut in preparation for their original meeting, forcing him to withdraw.

He’ll look to claim the WBA (super), WBO and IBF world titles when he takes on the undefeated Ukrainian.

And their showdown could have a unique judging system after an ’emergency petition’ was sent to each sanctioning body, Fury, Usyk and their promoters.

WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has proposed having SIX judges scoring Fury vs. Usyk.

He has distributed an ’emergency petition’ to everyone involved asking them to institute a six-judge panel for their undisputed fight.

The theory is that six judges will minimise the effect of a bad scorecard.

Nick Ball and Rey Vargas during their world title fight. Image: Getty

Referencing Nick Ball’s controversial draw against Rey Vargas on the Anthony Joshua vs. Francis Ngannou card, Sulaiman said: “What we saw last week in Saudi Arabia was another example of how fragile officiating worldwide continues to be.

“We saw one judge have it one way big and another judge having the other guy winning. Controversy like that in the Fury-Usyk fight will kill boxing.”

He added: “Fights, especially those at this highest level, deserve this and so I’m putting forward this proposal now to all sanctioning bodies, promoters and fighters.

“It has to be something we all agree on.”

Despite scoring two 10-8 rounds, Ball failed to earn the decision against Vargas.

One judge, however, scored the fight in his favour, with another judge giving the fight to the Mexican champion. The third judge had it a draw.

Sulaiman wants to avoid a repeat scenario when Fury and Usyk collide as he hopes to have six judges scoring the mega fight in Saudi Arabia.

Jake Paul shared footage of his first day of training ahead of his fight against Mike Tyson.

A video of Jake Paul’s first day of training ahead of his fight against Mike Tyson has gone viral as footage has been compared to the boxing legend’s camp.

Paul, who scored a big win over Ryan Bourland earlier this month, will welcome Tyson back to the ring when they clash on July 20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

The showdown between Paul and Tyson has been widely condemned by fans and critics alike.

UFC boss Dana White held nothing back as he slammed the contest, but recently made a U-turn after receiving a phone call.

Tyson looks to be in supreme shape as he shared explosive footage of his first day of training ahead of his ring return.

Paul has now begun his camp ahead of facing the former world heavyweight champion.

And it’s fair to say, they are adopting a very, very different approach ahead of their summer bout.

‘The Problem Child’ posted a video of himself partying in St Barts with his girlfriend Jutta Leerdam, who has made her feelings clear on the fight.

Footage of his first day of training has been compared to the 57-year-old’s and it makes for telling viewing.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer, who boasts victories over Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva and Nate Diaz, is in confident mood and even challenged ‘Iron’ Mike to test his ‘iron chin’.

“I want to see how hard he hits. Mike, I really want to see, bro. Let’s see all the legends, the myths, because you’re Iron Mike Tyson, but I have an iron chin, people know that. I take shots,” he said.

“I think people are underestimating me being able to deal with his power, and that’s something that’s going to make it interesting.”

The 27-year-old added: “I am biting off a lot. This is definitely the toughest, most savage, lethal opponent regardless of age, because the power is the last thing to go.

“The reaction and reception of it is insane. I almost can’t even believe it, so very surreal and very, very grateful for all of that. We’re going to see. I’m excited. I literally can’t wait to look across the ring and see him and give him a f**king death stare.”

Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk is set for May 18.

Oleksandr Usyk’s promoter has doubts over his fighter’s undisputed showdown against Tyson Fury.

Fury, who holds the WBC title, will meet Usyk, who’s in possession of the WBA (super), WBO and IBF belts, on May 18 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, following the postponement of their February clash.

The self-proclaimed ‘Gypsy King’ was forced to withdraw from their original meeting after sustaining a nasty cut above his eye suffered in a spar.

Their new date is just under two months away, but Alexander Krassyuk is skeptical of the first fight happening let alone the contracted rematch.

“Theoretically, the rematch should happen before the end of 2024. However, we all know that Tyson is not the world’s best rematch-er,” he explained.

“And after he loses to Usyk in the first bout, you cannot predict his behaviour at all.

“I say this, but I have no guarantee that the first fight ever takes place. The man has withdrawn four times in a row already. We have even decided to stop all the jokes and criticisms towards Luke to support his confidence.

“So, if there is anything else we can do to help him get in the ring with Usyk, we are ready to do that.”

Oleksandr Usyk and Alexander Krassyuk during a press conference. Image: Getty

Asked whether there’s a back-up fighter in place if Fury isn’t able to compete on May 18, Krassyuk added: “Usyk’s goal is to get the fourth heavyweight belt and to complete the undisputed.

“After accomplishing this mission other options can be regarded.”

Saudi Arabia advisor Turki Alalshikh has stipulated a £10 million penalty if either Fury or Usyk pull out of the bout.

Despite the warning from the boxing chief, Krassyuk isn’t convinced the undefeated Brit will turn up to face the Ukrainian star.

Fury, meanwhile, hasn’t fought since his controversial victory over former UFC champion Francis Ngannou last October.

As for Usyk, he beat Daniel Dubois in his last outing back in August 2023.

Carl Froch has called out Jake Paul.

Carl Froch has slammed both Jake Paul and Tyson Fury following comments made in the build-up to Paul’s controversial fight with Mike Tyson.

The fight is scheduled for the 20th of July at the AT&T stadium, with Netflix making its first foray into live combat sports by exclusively streaming the event.

Many have been quick to criticise the boat, with UFC boss Dana White quick to call out the 31-age difference between the two fighters.

Another who has made his feelings on the fight very clear is former professional boxer Carl Froch. With a highly commendable professional record of 33 wins and 2 losses, Foch retired from the sport in 2015 but still makes his voice heard in the boxing world.

In a recent interview with Instant Casinos, Froch called out Tyson Fury for his defense of Paul with Fury having stated influencer boxing is a good thing for the sport.

“No, it’s not good for boxing. For Tyson Fury to say that it’s good for boxing…he needs to look in the mirror, have a look at what he’s done, have a look at what professional fighters do and what they go through, and then think to himself, this is Jake Paul, a performing clown jumping in there with a 57-year-old man, who is a legend and an icon in professional boxing,” Froch explained.

The 46-year-old continued to pull no punches and admitted he would love to see Tyson knock the YouTuber out.

“He’s an absolute f**king idiot for fighting Mike Tyson. It’s wrong. It should be stopped. Listen, I hope Tyson goes in there for 30 seconds, unleashes hell on Jake Paul, flattens him, and does boxing proud. Jake Paul’s been dead disrespectful as well in his build-up,” Froch admitted.

Jake Paul- Getty

Froch also personally called Paul out for a potential fight in the future.

“He’s been biting ears off and trying to mimic Mike Tyson and copy him. I just don’t find it funny. If he had any bollocks about him, he’d fight me, wouldn’t he? I’d love to punch his teeth down the back of his throat,” Froch firmly stated.

In a controversial turn of events, Jake Paul, the internet sensation and famed boxer, has provided an astonishing reason to postpone his showdown with boxing legend Mike Tyson. With many fans and observers

eagerly anticipating this match-up, the delay has sparked considerable debate

.

According to sports news sources, Jake Paul, who has gained notoriety for his impressive victories in the combat sports arena and serves as a role model for the younger generation, has cited a rather ludicrous reason for delaying his bout with Mike Tyson. The former world champion took to social media to claim that he is feeling under the weather and requires more time to recover before facing Tyson.

However, numerous fans and sports pundits have strongly opposed Jake Paul’s rationale. They argue that this is merely a ploy to evade facing a formidable opponent like Mike Tyson. John Smith, a sports commentator, remarked, “Jake Paul has displayed fear and lack of determination in attempting to postpone the fight. This is not the action of a professional fighter.”

Meanwhile, Mike Tyson and his team have not issued any official response to this development. However, many believe that Tyson cannot help but feel disappointed by this delay and will await a genuine showdown in the future. While Jake Paul has garnered significant attention from the online community and has been instrumental in pushing combat sports beyond traditional boundaries, fabricating absurd excuses to avoid a major bout could affect his credibility and respect within the martial arts community.

As the world awaits official statements from Jake Paul and Mike Tyson regarding the future of this match-up, the entire combat sports world is left wondering whether this bout will indeed take place and whether Jake Paul will rise to face the challenge from one of the biggest names in the history of boxing.

A recent exchange between boxing legend Mike Tyson and brash YouTube personality-turned-boxer Jake Paul has sent shockwaves through the sports world. After Paul made a chilling remark about Tyson and his late daughter, Tyson delivered a response that silenced critics and underscored the importance of respect in and out of the ring.

Jake Paul, known for his provocative statements and antics, crossed a line when he threatened to “bury Tyson next to his daughter’s grave” during a heated exchange. The comment, directed at Tyson, struck a nerve with fans and observers alike, sparking outrage and condemnation across social media platforms.

In response, Mike Tyson, a figure revered for his ferocity inside the ring and his resilience outside of it, delivered a brutal yet poignant rebuke to Paul’s disrespectful remark. Tyson’s retort, characterized by its raw emotion and unwavering conviction, served as a powerful reminder of the consequences of crossing boundaries, especially when it comes to deeply personal matters.

Tyson’s response not only shut down Paul’s inflammatory rhetoric but also reaffirmed the importance of dignity and honor in the sport of boxing. As a father who has endured unimaginable loss, Tyson’s visceral reaction resonated with audiences worldwide, garnering widespread support and admiration for his unwavering resolve in the face of adversity.

The exchange between Tyson and Paul serves as a sobering reminder of the power of words and the responsibility that comes with wielding influence, especially in the realm of sports. While tensions may run high in the competitive world of boxing, there is no excuse for disrespecting the legacy and personal struggles of others.

As the dust settles on this contentious exchange, one thing remains clear: Mike Tyson’s uncompromising response to Jake Paul’s threatening comment serves as a testament to his unwavering strength of character and unwavering commitment to defending his legacy, both inside and outside of the ring.

In a shocking turn of events, the highly anticipated boxing match between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson hangs in the balance as Jake Paul reportedly considers withdrawing from the bout. The catalyst for this potential cancellation? Allegations suggest that Jake Paul was knocked out cold during a private sparring session with the former heavyweight champion.

The boxing world was abuzz with excitement when the match between the brash YouTube sensation turned professional boxer, Jake Paul, and the legendary Mike Tyson was announced. Fans eagerly anticipated witnessing the clash between the seasoned veteran and the up-and-coming talent. However, recent developments have thrown the event into uncertainty.

Sources close to the situation claim that during a closed-door sparring session between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, the YouTuber-turned-boxer suffered a devastating knockout. While details surrounding the incident remain murky, rumors suggest that Jake Paul was caught off guard by Tyson’s ferocity and power, resulting in a dramatic conclusion to the spar.

The aftermath of this purported knockout has left Jake Paul reeling, both physically and mentally. Reports indicate that he is seriously reconsidering his decision to step into the ring with Mike Tyson, questioning whether he is truly prepared to face such a formidable opponent. Sources close to Jake Paul reveal that he is grappling with doubts about his ability to compete at Tyson’s level and fears suffering a similar fate in a public showdown. This unexpected development has sent shockwaves through the boxing community, with fans speculating about the future of the highly anticipated matchup. While some argue that Jake Paul should push through his doubts and honor his commitment to the fight, others sympathize with his concerns and acknowledge the gravity of facing off against a boxing icon like Mike Tyson. In the midst of this uncertainty, representatives for both Jake Paul and Mike Tyson have remained tight-lipped, refusing to comment on the situation. The silence from both camps only serves to fuel speculation and intensify the intrigue surrounding the potential cancellation of the bout.

As the boxing world holds its breath, awaiting a decision from Jake Paul, one thing remains clear: whether the match proceeds as planned or is ultimately called off, the events of the closed sparring session have undoubtedly added a new layer of drama and suspense to an already highly anticipated showdown. Only time will tell what the future holds for Jake Paul and Mike Tyson in the ring.

Dana White has said that confirmation of a date for a UFC numbered event is going to come in ‘literally days’, with a night of action set to be scheduled for 2024.

UFC have only held two numbered events in the United Kingdom, with their last outing – UFC 286 – coming in March 2023.

That night saw welterweight champion Leon Edwards defend his title in five rounds over Kamaru Usaman in front of a rapt crowd at the O2 Arena.

But with the ascendancy of British fighters including Edwards and interim heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall, fans have been clamouring for more action on UK soil.

On Tuesday, the franchise president was able to put them out of their misery and confirm that the organisation was set to deliver the long-promised fight this year.

Dana White confirmed that UFC will be heading to the United Kingdom for an event in 2024

The last numbered event came last year when Leon Edwards successfully defended his welterweight championship at the O2

Tom Aspinall’s success in the heavyweight division has added fuel to the argument to bring UFC to England

‘I have an English heavyweight champion and lots of other European stars,’ White told TNT Sports. ‘But two champs now out of England.

‘So we have these teams that build their different pieces of the puzzle. Then they come together with me, and I start trying to fit the pieces of the puzzle together – “no, this doesn’t fit here, this has got to go” – that’s how it all works.

‘We have these fights going on that are like, “wait, we’re going to do this where?” No. We’re going to England.

‘We’re coming, and I got great fights lined up for the UK fans and I’m excited to get back there.

‘Haven’t been to England in a minute. I’m excited to get back there.’

When queried on when the announcement and full details of the planned clashes would come, White added: ‘Literally, in days’.

‘We’re right there, working on this stuff. We’ve got some bada** plans for England.’

Rather than staging a Fight Night, White also stressed that it would be: ‘Numbered cards. Pay-per-view. A great one.’

White previously hyped a British double-header after Edwards’ defeat of Colby Covington, saying that it ‘made sense’ that the champion’s next fight take place in his home country.

The 32-year-old even suggested that an event on home soil could take place at Villa Park

Edwards himself echoed the statement, adding: ‘UK martial arts is popping right now, You have me, Tom Aspinall and it would be great to headline a card in the UK – have me and Tom headline it.

‘That’s my dream and I know it’s Tom’s too to go back home and have a massive sold-out stadium event.’

The 32-year-old even suggested a venue for the event, during a half-time appearance in the wake of his title defence during his beloved Aston Villa’s 3-2 victory against Burnley.

‘I will defend my belt in April at UFC 300 in Vegas again, then hopefully in the summertime get a fight back home in Birmingham at Villa Park,’ Edwards told the crowd.

WWE neglected to censor Cody Rhodes’ invective against Roman Reigns – as he branded any future match between the latter and The Rock a ‘w**k fest’.

Rhodes will challenge incumbent Universal Champion Reigns for his title on Sunday, April 7 at WrestleMania 40.

At one point Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson had been slated to headline WrestleMania 40 against Reigns but Rhodes – the 2024 Royal Rumble winner – will challenge him instead.

That led to Rhodes mocking Reigns and degrading the would-be match between the latter and the Rock as a ‘w**k fest’.

He said: ‘I have filled this ring up with positive platitudes about Roman Reigns. Clearly I respect the Tribal Chief.

Cody Rhodes called Cody Rhodes and The Rock’s desired future match-up a ‘w**k fest’ and WWE failed to censor it

Roman Reigns will defend his Universal Championship against Rhodes at WrestleMania 40

‘But make no mistake about it, I am aware that Roman Reigns is the man who screwed me out of the biggest dream I ever had in my life at last year’s WrestleMania.

‘So although I respect you Roman Reigns, please understand… I hate your guts. And it’s totally fine with me if you hate me too. I mean, it’s my fault that you and your cousin can’t have this w**k fest at Wrestlemania that you wanted to have.’

Last year, Rhodes lost to Reigns at WrestleMania 39 and he has been simmering since, eager to have another shot at his dream crown.

They will actually be on opposite sides in a tag team match on Saturday, April 6 as well.

Rhodes will team up with Seth Rollins to take on Reigns and The Rock.

If Rhodes and Rollins emerge as victors, then Bloodline faction members – including The Rock – will be banned from supporting Reigns from ringside in the Universal Championship match.

The Rock will also team up with Reigns as they face Rhodes and Seth Rollins in a tag team match

If Reigns and The Rock win, then it will be a ‘Bloodline Rules’ contest, meaning anything goes ringside. A guest referee from The Bloodline could even officiate, giving Reigns a huge advantage.

For his comments, Rhodes was punished by The Rock on Monday night, getting smashed into his own bus and being left covered in blood.

A UFC fighter was disqualified for biting his opponent and leaving teeth marks in his opponent’s bicep in one of the most shocking disqualifications of all time.

In an incident evoking memories of Mike Tyson‘s ‘bite fight’ with Evander Holyfield inside a boxing ring in 1997, Igor Severino and Andre Lima were locked in a grapple when the latter began yelling and signalled for the referee during the bout at UFC Vegas 89.

After the pair were separated, Lima held up his arm to reveal a gruesome bite mark on his left bicep and was awarded the fight.

The bite cost Severino the fight and his place in the UFC, as he was cut by president Dana White after what was the 20-year-old’s debut fight.

After the controversial fight, Mail Sport takes a look at some of the worst DQ’s in UFC history.

Igor Severino was disqualified by the UFC after biting his opponent Andre Lima (pictured)

Lima shows off the gruesome bite mark he suffered during the flyweight fight in Las Vegas

Severino – who was making his UFC debut – tried to deny that he had gnawed his opponent but his protests were in vain

Frank Mir vs Wes Sims at UFC 43

We start off with a bout from 21-years ago when former UFC Heavyweight champion Frank Mir beat Wes Sims via DQ in June 2003.

The tone was set from the start when Mir attempted to touch gloves with Sims, only for his opponent to rush past the outstretched hand only to be taken down.

In the first round, after slamming Mir to prevent an armbar, Sims got up, grabbed the fence and began stomping on Mir’s face.

Wes Sims was disqualified in his bout with Frank Mir when he held on the cage and stamped on his opponent’s face

The fight was halted and Sims – after initially celebrating – started kneeing the cage in frustration, while Mir was still down on the mat dazed and out of it.

This started a rivalry between the two men and they fought again at UFC 46. This time, Mir took easy control of the match and knocked Sims out in the second round.

Mir went on to win the UFC Heavyweight title in his next fight, while Sims was released after losing at UFC 47 – accusing victor Mike Kyle of biting him during the bout.

Jon Jones v Matt Hamill at The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights Finale

The one that got away for Jon Jones.

If it wasn’t for his controversial disqualification against Matt Hamill 14 years ago, he would still hold an unbeaten record to this day.

In what was just his third UFC appearance, he was disqualified in a fight that he dominated, after landing a series of illegal ’12-6 elbows’ – a technique that bans the use of striking downward using the point of the elbow.

However, Hamill had dislocated his shoulder earlier in the fight and many believe it should have stopped then – with former UFC referee John McCarthy insisting that Jones’ disqualification should have been changed to a win.

He tweeted: ‘Jon Jones’ loss to Matt Hamill was handled & adjudicated by the referee. He called the foul and then called for a DQ based upon Hamill not being able to continue. The reason he couldn’t continue was because of a separated shoulder which occurred on a legal throw. The DQ was wrong.’

Jon Jones was disqualified after landing a series of illegal ’12-6 elbows’ in his only loss to date

Jones’ defeat was seen as controversial by many who felt that the fight should have been stopped earlier when Hamill’s shoulder was dislocated

UFC boss Dana White has tried his best to appeal the lone defeat of Jones’ career, insisting the Nevada Commission was in a bad place at the time of his fight against Hamill.

‘That one loss on his record, it was at a time and a place in the Nevada State Athletic Commission when it was at its worst,’ White told ESPN.

‘The guy’s never lost a fight ever. It was the weakest commission ever in the history of Nevada. The referee that reffed that fight shouldn’t have even been in there and he disqualified Jon, which shouldn’t have happened either.’

If Jones had been awarded the fight, he would hold a record 28 wins, one draw and no defeats.

Matt Riddle v Greg Soto at UFC 111

Long before his stint with the WWE, Matt Riddle picked up a disqualification victory at UFC 111 in March 2010.

Going into the event he was supposed to fight Ricardo Funch, who pulled out for an undisclosed reason and replaced by UFC newcomer Greg Soto.

Soto wanted to make an impression on his debut, and he did, but in the wrong way.

After failing to lock in a triangle choke, Soto saw his opportunity and blasted Riddle with an upkick straight to the jaw.

He claimed that he thought Riddle was in a squatted position, but it turned out he had a knee on the ground, making it an illegal blow.

Riddle suffered a concussion from the upkick and had no recollection of what happened when he spoke to the referee after the fight.

Matt Riddle (pictured during his days with the WWE) picked up a disqualification victory in 2010 after he suffered a concussion from an upkick by opponent Greg Soto at UFC 111

Walt Harris v Mark Godbeer at UFC 217

British heavyweight Mark Goodbeer picked up a disqualification victory after he was caught with a knee in the crotch and booted in the head by American rival Walt Harris.

It happened during the first round of the bout which the Harris was dominating before making a costly mistake.

Godbeer was left in pain after he was caught with a knee to the groin, and he tried to back off as he bended over.

Walt Harris hit Mark Godbeer with a sickening head kick as the referee tried to intervene after he had caught the British fighter with a knee to the groin

Then just as the referee was looking to intervene so he could check on Godbeer, Harris caught him flush on the side of the face with a sickening head-kick.

The official had shouted three times for a break out, and it was on his fourth attempt – with his arm clearly across Harris’ chest – that the brutal kick was landed.

After a thorough examination by the UFC doctors, Godbeer could be heard saying his eyes had gone and vision was impaired.

Godbeer was fine soon after the fight, but Harris was justly disqualified.

C.B. Dollaway v Hector Lombard at UFC 222 

MMA veteran Hector Lombard made a rookie mistake when he came up against C.B. Dollaway back in March 2018.

The explosive Cuban-Australian fighter was involved in a striking exchange with his opponent towards the end of the first round.

Dollaway landed a kick on Lombard, after which the bell sounded, signalling the end of the round.

While Dollaway let his guard down in preparation to go back to his corner, Lombard did not take the bell into consideration, as he tagged his opponent with a thunderous 1-2 that knocked him down.

Dollaway had a dazed look in his face and it was determined that he could not continue and the verdict was a DQ win for the American due to the illegal punches.

Allen Crowder v Greg Hardy at UFC Fight Night 143 

Greg Hardy’s had an inauspicious UFC debut in January 2019 after making the switch from the NFL.

The former defensive end who set the Carolina Panthers’ single-season record for sacks earning him a Pro Bowl spot in 2013.

He left the NFL after he was convicted of assaulting and threatening to kill his former girlfriend, though the charges were later dropped.

Hardy switched to compete in the UFC’s heavyweight division, making his UFC debut against Allen Crowder.

Greg Hardy looked to be on a way to victory in his UFC debut before he struck his opponent with a knee

He connected with some good punches in the first round and answered Crowder’s taunting in the second round with some more heavy blows.

But with Crowder down on one knee, Hardy inexcusably struck his opponent with a knee before they were quickly separated.

Crowder was unable to continue and Hardy slumped against the cage, as the crowd, who were already firmly against him, erupted in boos once again.

Hardy said he ‘took responsibility’ but that he ‘didn’t do it on purpose’.

He left UFC in 2022 with a MMA record of 7-5 (1) before going into boxing and bare knuckle fighting.

Petr Yan v Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259

Petr Yan sent shockwaves through the UFC when he was disqualified for an illegal knee to the head in his UFC 259 clash with Aljamain Sterling.

The Russian who was UFC Bantamweight champion at the time, was on top against his American opponent when he bizarrely thrusted his knees into Sterling’s face, while his rival was on his knees in the fourth round.

Yan was immediately disqualified when medical staff declared that Sterling was unable to continue.

Petr Yan stunned the MMA world when he caught Aljamain Sterling with a sickening knee

Yan was disqualified and Aljamain was crowned as the new UFC Bantamweight champion

The disqualification meant that Sterling was awarded the championship – the first time a belt had changed hands due to a DQ in UFC history.

The likes of Justin Gaethje, Chuck Liddell and Demetrious Johnson weighing in with their opinions on the controversial ending.

Gaethe said the call ‘should never be on the fighter,’ Liddell said it was ‘blatantly illegal’ and Johnson said that ‘knees to a grounded opponent should be allowed’ as fighters shouldn’t be allowed to stall by ‘sitting on their knees’.

The pair would eventually have a rematch at UFC 273 where Sterling successfully defended his championship with a split decision victory.