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ESPN Releases Video Of Petr Yan’s Cornermen During Controversial UFC 259 Finish

March 9, 2021 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas

Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling’s battle ended up in disqualification after Yan hit an illegal knee, and ESPN has released video of his cornermen shouting advice. The bantamweight title fight ended in a DQ for Yan after he delivered a knee to Sterling while he was down, and the referee determined that it was intentional after he had said Sterling was down.

In the video, which you can see below, Yan’s corner is shouting encouragement and advice to him. While one person is shouting for only punches, Khabib Nurmagomedov alleged that one of the cornerman told Yan in Russian to deliver a kick. One of Yan’s cornermen cheers after the knee was delivered, apparently believing the fight was won.

Yan was ahead slightly by points when the fight was stopped per MMA Weekly, with two judges scoring him at 29 – 28 and one scording for Sterling 29 – 28. Both fighters called for an immediate rematch after the fight, and Dana White said he wants to book that rematch as soon as he can.