UFC 273: Petr Yan doesn’t consider Aljamain Sterling as a ‘worthy rival’ (Video)

Petr Yan doesn’t consider Aljamain Sterling as a “worthy rival” ahead of their UFC 273 clash.

UFC interim bantamweight titleholder Petr Yan doesn’t think Aljamain Sterling will go down as one of his biggest rivals when he eventually calls it quits.

Yan and Sterling will finally square off in a title rematch over a year in the making at UFC 273. Their first matchup at UFC 259 ended controversially after Yan was disqualified for throwing an illegal knee late in the bout.

Yan and Sterling have been on each other’s nerves for months since their first fight. Tensions between them have only skyrocketed as fight week has progressed.

During his UFC 273 pre-fight press conference, Yan was asked whether or not his perceived rivalry with Sterling will go down as one of the UFC’s best.

“Let’s wait until Saturday and see if he’s really a worthy rival or not,” Yan said. “I’ll have a long career ahead, and I believe I’m gonna have a lot more worthy rivals. And I think right now the way he behaves, he doesn’t behave like a worthy rival or like a man.”

“I can’t say it’s personal, but it’s very important for me to beat him up and show who he truly is. In UFC history, there is no one who won a belt that way, but he still thinks he’s a champion. It’s absurd.”

Petr Yan is looking to close the door on his saga with Aljamain Sterling

As Sterling recovered from a lingering neck issue, Yan earned the interim title over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267. Yan and Sterling were supposed to fight at UFC 267 before Sterling withdrew on short notice.

Sterling and Yan have produced one of the most heated pairings in UFC bantamweight history, but Yan will look to leave no doubt in his rematch with Sterling this weekend.

UFC 273: Alexander Volkanovski vs. Korean Zombie takes place on Saturday, April 9, 2022, live from the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL. Follow along with FanSided MMA for all your news and highlights.