Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling had an impromptu face-off at the UFC 273 press conference after the promotion scrapped the traditional staredown.
Undisputed bantamweight champion Sterling and interim titleholder Yan will unify the 135lb title this Saturday in Jacksonville, Florida. No face-offs were allowed after the conclusion of the press conference, seemingly because UFC boss Dana White was not in attendance.
After the press conference ended, Sterling riled up Yan by calling for a face-off. Yan then walked toward his rival in an attempt to stare him down, but the two could only lock eyes from a distance as security guards ensured they didn't come face to face.
The rivals first met at UFC 259 last year when Yan was disqualified for landing an illegal knee. Yan was dominating most of the fight, but kneed Sterling in the head whilst he was on the ground and the American was unable to continue.
Sterling has mocked Yan for not knowing the rules of MMA in the build up to the fight. The American continued his trolling by bringing out an American football helmet and 'MMA Rulebook 4 Dummies' at the press conference.
"I just had to be prepared coming to the press conference. You never know what a guy like Petr Yan might do, what this guy might be capable of. I had to come well prepared in case he throws something illegal," Sterling said.
Yan won the interim title last October after Sterling pulled out of a rescheduled meeting against him due to a neck injury. The Russian mocked the legitimacy of Sterling's undisputed title after he became the first UFC fighter in history to win a belt via disqualification.
Who wins at UFC 273 - Aljamain Sterling or Petr Yan? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below
"The real fans know who the real champ is. It's going to be Aljamain looking for another excuse, he didn't eat enough or he s*** his pants. I'm never gonna answer all his bull****, if I hit him now he's going to call the cops," Yan said.
Sterling is the betting underdog heading into the first defence of his title. The 32-year-old is unbeaten in his last six fights and is confident he can pull off a huge upset against Yan on Saturday.
"I finally get to shut this mother****** up and it's going to be so sweet. I guarantee everybody is going to cheering and back on the bandwagon. Aljamain Sterling shocks the crowd and silences the noise. Guaranteed put your money up, you guys are going to be rich. Guaranteed," he said.
