Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrated’s in-depth look at MMA. Every Thursday, this column offers insight and information on the most noteworthy stories in the fight world.
Aljamain Sterling on Petr Yan: “There is a part of me that would really like to hurt this guy”
Next week’s UFC 273 will determine the top of the bantamweight division as reigning champion Aljamain Sterling makes his long-awaited first defense against interim champ Petr Yan.
The title bout should settle the score between the two men, which intensified a year ago at UFC 259 when Yan was disqualified after drilling Sterling in the head with a vicious illegal knee strike.