P. Yan (photo) beats J. Aldo by knockout and wins the bantamweight belt in the UFC 251. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
The dream is over José Aldo and the bantamweight division (up to 61,2kg) has a new champion. In the confrontation between the Brazilian and Petr yan, held this Saturday (11), by UFC 251, the Russian prevailed and won the vacant category title. In a tense and balanced confrontation, Yan surprised the man from Manaus in the fifth round and achieved another knockout in his career.
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The clash between the Brazilian and the Russian was highly anticipated, as it would represent a new stage in the bantamweight category after the retirement of the former champion, Henry Cejudo. After much anticipation, Petr, who is undefeated in Ultimate, begins his reign.
This Saturday, Aldo had the opportunity to make history within the organization. If he wins, the man from Manaus could become the first athlete, among men, to win two belts in different divisions.
This was only José's second appearance among the Ultimate bantamweights. Despite two good performances, the Brazilian continues without winning in the new category.
The fight
The athletes began the confrontation by exchanging jabs in the center of the Octagon. The Russian risked a high kick, which ended up in the Brazilian's guard, who responded with a cross. José threw a low kick and the Russian responded quickly. Petr surprised the Brazilian with a right hand bomb, which forced the man from Manaus to walk backwards. After the scare, Aldo released another low kick that took the Russian to the ground. Yan got up and the athletes began to study each other. Little by little, Aldo loosened up in the confrontation, but ended up being surprised with a punch. José felt a punch on the ground, but ended up being saved by the bell.
After the scare, Aldo returned to the confrontation and risked a front kick to his opponent's chest. Yan tried to find the distance, but was careful not to be touched by the Brazilian. The man from Manaus began to unleash his famous kicks and rocked the Russian. The Brazilian's kicks seemed to bother Petr, who changed his base to try to confuse José. In the middle of the round, the Russian tried to score with jabs and direct shots, but the Brazilian showed danger with counterattacks. Near the end of the round, Aldo managed to connect a sequence of three straight shots and began to corner Yan. At a disadvantage, the Russian tried to find his way back into the fight, but ran into the Brazilian's attacks. The confrontation remained tense until the timer reached zero.
The third stage began with José delivering a powerful kick to his rival's waistline. Petr responded with a straight left, but the man from Manaus continued walking forward. The fight was tense and there was a chance of a knockout for both sides. Aldo connected two hooks on Yan's waist and put pressure on his opponent again with a series of punches. Even at a disadvantage, the Russian remained dangerous in counterattacks. In the final minute, Yan released himself and landed a combination of punches on the Brazilian. The attacks did not intimidate the manauara, who lowered his guard and walked forward. The assault ended with the athletes in the clinch.
Right at the beginning of the fourth round, Petr attacked the Brazilian with a series of punches that were defended by the man from Manaus. Aldo responded with two straight shots and a hook to the belt. The Russian connected with another straight shot to José's face, but the Brazilian didn't back down. Halfway through the round, the man from Manaus began to slow down and saved his attacks. Yan tried to corner the Manauara, but the Brazilian was attentive. The Russian continued to have an advantage in the stage and José began to walk behind. Yan managed to take the Brazilian down and threw blows from top to bottom. The pressure was great on Aldo, but there was no more time.
At the beginning of the last round, a clean right to the face shook Aldo, who lost his balance and ended up being taken to the ground. The Russian started to attack the manauara with punches and elbows. At a disadvantage, Aldo defended himself as best he could, but Yan continued to take advantage of the good moment. Petr continued attacking the Brazilian and looking for the knockout. The manauara showed little reaction and was easy prey to Yan's pressure. Petr continued to strike until the referee interrupted the confrontation.
UFC 251 results
MAIN CARD
Welterweight Weight: Kamaru Usman derrotou Jorge masvidal in the unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) – Title fight
Feather weight: Alexander Volkanovsky derrotou Max Holloway in the judges' split decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47) – Title fight
Bantamweight: Petr yan derrotou José Aldo by knockout at 3m24s of R5- Title fight
Straw weight: Rose namajunas derrotou Jessica Stacker in the judges' split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Fly weight: Amanda ribas finished paige vanzant with an armbar 2m21s from R1
PRELIMINARY CARD
Light Heavyweight: Jiri Prochazka derrotou Volkan oezdemir by knockout 49s into R2
Welterweight Weight: muslim salikhov derrotou Elizeu Capoeira in the judges' split decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Feather weight: mawan amirkhani finished Danny henry with a hand triangle at 3m15s from R1
Lightweight: Leo Santos derrotou Roman Bogatov in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-26, 29-26, 29-26)
Heavyweight: Marcin tybura derrotou Maxim grishin in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-2, 30-27, 30-26)
Fly weight: Raulian paiva derrotou Zhalgas Zhumagulov in the unanimous decision of the judges (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight: Karol Rosa derrotou Vanessa melo in the unanimous decision of the judges (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
Bantamweight: davey grant derrotou Martin Day by knockout at 2m38s of R3
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