UFC 273 has come and gone, and Aljamain Sterling is still the UFC bantamweight champion of the world.

The evening’s co-main event saw “The Funkmaster” pick up a significantly more convincing second victory over bitter rival, Petr Yan. To say it was convincing to any extent may sound weird depending on which side of the split decision you’re on. However, it’s simply a matter of fact when considering the unique result of Sterling defeating Yan via disqualification in their March 2021 encounter to become champion.

A largely debated decision throughout the community, many names have voiced their opinions regarding who they believe won the tightly contested affair. Backstage after the event, UFC President Dana White shared with the media that he believes “the judges got that one wrong.” In disagreement is White’s ol’ pal, former UFC heavyweight Brendan Schaub who believes White’s critique wasn’t the wisest of choices considering his position.

“When you’re the president of the UFC, you have a responsibility,” Schaub said on The Schaub Show. “So when you say the judges got that one wrong, now you f***** Aljamain Sterling over. Now you f***** him. Because he beat the naysayers, he beat the haters, he shut everybody up. But now it resurfaces because the most powerful man in the UFC says, ‘He didn’t win that fight.’ Which, you don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re wrong, dude.”

Since winning the 135-pound crown in the unusually historic fashion he did, Sterling has become no stranger to defending his position and fending off criticisms. Until he gets another finish or dominant shutout performance as champion, it’s a safe bet he’ll remain one of the biggest heat magnets in the entire sport.

“You f***** your fighter over,” Schaub said. “Now, he has to go back to the drawing board and deal with more of this stupid f****** hate. And why? Because he won three out of five [rounds]? But you watch it from cageside on the little monitor, and you rush to judgment before watching it for a second or third time. It should be your f****** responsibility, your duty, should be to make sure if you say that stuff that you’re going based off the criteria that the fighters have to go off of when it comes to judging. But you don’t. You came to a quick judgment, and it f***** your fighter. It f**** your champion. Because that’s out there.”

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TOP STORIES

Fear. Ray Longo on why he called Petr Yan a motherf***** at UFC 273: ‘He’s not the boogeyman any more.’

Voice. Cain Velasquez breaks silence, issues plea to ‘true victims’: ‘May God give you the strength to come forward.’

Odds. Khamzat Chimaev slight betting favorite over Colby Covington, underdog to Kamaru Usman.

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VIDEO STEW

MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Paige VanZant.

UFC Vegas 51 Fighters You Should Know.

Corey Anderson’s Dominant Path to Bellator 277.

Vicente Luque vs. Belal Muhammad rematch preview.

Chael Sonnen on Kamaru Usman vs. Khamzat Chimaev.

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LISTEN UP

Heck of a Morning. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck discusses if Khamzat Chimaev’s stock has actually dropped despite his big win over Gilbert Burns.

Fighter vs. Writer. MMA Fighting’s Damon Martin chats with Matt Brown and Josh Emmett.

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SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE

Kicks.

Champ.

Soul stealer.

Party on, sister.

Intense.

Hangman.

New York Volk.

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FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS

Mounir Lazzez (10-2) vs. Ange Loosa (8-2); UFC Vegas 51, Apr. 16.

Erin Blanchfield (8-1) vs. JJ Aldrich (11-4); UFC Fight Night, June 4

J.P. Buys (9-4) vs. Cody Durden (12-4-1); UFC Fight Night, June 18

Jasmine Jasudavicius (7-1) vs. Natalia Silva (12-5-1); UFC Fight Night, June 18

Askar Askarov (14-1-1) vs. Alex Perez (24-6); UFC Fight Night, July 16

Dustin Jacoby (17-5-1) vs. Da Un Jung (15-2-1); UFC Fight Night, July 16

Chris Curtis (28-8) vs. Rodolfo Vieira (8-1); UFC Fight Night, July 25

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Bellator 277 has quietly arrived and it should be rather delightful. Thanks for reading!

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EXIT POLL

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