All eyes were on the first championship title fight on Fight Island, which was advertised in many different ways such as “Russia vs. Brazil” and “The Young Star vs. an MMA Legend”. But no matter which perspective you saw it from, once the cage door was locked behind them there could only be one man to walk out as the UFC Bantamweight champion.
For this very stacked Bantamweight division to move forward, the stage of Yas Island in Abu Dhabi was needed to crown a champion that would take on all contenders. Who better than the King of Rio, Jose Aldo, and the man who has yet to taste defeat inside the UFC’s Octagon, Petr Yan?
The fight was a striking clinic for both men. You could tell they both believed in their power and continued to march forward, every round more intense than the previous one. For four rounds, every time Aldo connected on Yan, Yan fired back and connected on Aldo. This fight was the definition of a slugfest — Yan never turned the down the level of ferocity in the fifth, knowing he was one or two strikes away from finishing the legend. What a performance from the “Annnd New…” Bantamweight champion, Petr Yan!
Social media exploded with fighter reactions after the exciting fight which crowned Petr Yan as the new UFC Bantamweight champion!!!
Congrats precious @PetrYanUFC 💋 but you absolutely suck! You’d be lucky to make it past two rounds with triple c! You ugly potato 🥔 #rentachamp
— Henry Cejudo (@HenryCejudo) July 12, 2020
Amazing fight fellas!! Well deserved and earned by @PetrYanUFC! You are the real deal and I cannot wait to share the octagon with you homie! #FunkGotNext #UFC251 #TheWeeklyScraps!
— Aljamain Sterling (@funkmasterMMA) July 12, 2020
This is some high class shit right here. Love it #UFC251
— Justin Gaethje 🇺🇸 (@Justin_Gaethje) July 12, 2020
Great fight!! #FightIsland
— The Diamond (@DustinPoirier) July 12, 2020
Bad referee fight is over 🤦🏾♂️🤦🏾♂️ #UFC251 #UFCFightIsland
— GILBERT BURNS DURINHO (@GilbertDurinho) July 12, 2020
We have unfinished business!! I’ll break him in 2 rounds Ko him in the 3rd I want to break his will. https://t.co/tX7xl003qS
— Cody Garbrandt (@Cody_Nolove) July 12, 2020
Omg stop the fucking fight
— Lauren Murphy (@LaurenMurphyMMA) July 12, 2020
What a statement by Petr Yan 👏🏻👏🏻
We have a new 135lb champ and the division looks as exciting as ever with sooo many challengers hungry for that shot! #UFC251
— Megan Anderson (@MeganA_mma) July 12, 2020
Hammer fists hurt your feelings more than your head #spolier #UFC251
— Alpha Cat Zingano (@CatZingano) July 12, 2020
What was your reaction to this hard-fought title fight? Sound off below!
