As the first UFC champion who lost his belt due to the use of violation, Petr Yan was not happy to receive this title.
This Russian boxer should have successfully defended the championship, because until the fourth half, Petr Yan was leading the ratio. However, in this half, Yan threw a blow on the knee when opponent Aljamain Sterling was kneeling on the floor. According to UFC's competition law, Yan was deprived of the right to play and was tried to lose.
In the opinion of many viewers, the knee is not so heavy – Aljamain Sterling can actually continue to play, he only pretended to be stunned to win. However, the former Light Heavyweight Jon Jones champion defended Sterling with the tweet:
“Sterling shows very well in the match. He tries to play in every second, every minute. On the pillow violation is not the fault of Sterling. Congratulations to the champion.”
The Thai farm made Yan notice. This Russian boxer immediately responded:
“Hey Anthony Smith, you should have taken the champion of Jones.”
Yan was deliberately recalling Jon Jones's foul on the match against Anthony Smith in 2019. Almost Jones was losing in this situation.
However, Smith is ready to continue playing with his tenacious spirit. If Smith did not continue the match like Sterling, Jones would not have been a UFC champion for a long time!