Sherdog’s Top 10: Greatest UFC Fights

9. (Tie) Petr Yan vs. Aljamain Sterling 2 | UFC 273

Yet again, this fight only appeared on a single list, but all the way in first place. However, this one was mine. Why such an unusual choice? It all comes down to what I look for in MMA. Crazy brawls where each fighter gives and receives numerous heavy blows, which this list is full of, are tremendously entertaining of course, but aren't the apex of what I appreciate. Firstly, the stakes were as high as they get. Sterling had just won the bantamweight crown from Yan on a DQ in their first meeting, which was also sensational before the unfortunate ending. They were far and away the two best bantamweights in the entire sport and easily top 5 pound-for-pound in all of MMA battling for supremacy in the most high-skill weight class in the sport. Yan was arguably the best striker in MMA and Sterling arguably its best grappler. The fight itself defied expectations. Yan was an enormous favorite, roughly -450, given that he was dominating Sterling in their first meeting prior to the DQ. Yet, Sterling gave the performance of his life in the rematch, beautifully blending his grappling with his striking in the highest example of martial arts skill. Yan was up to the task, gamely defending and landing his gorgeous stand-up whenever he got a chance. Back and forth they went for 25 straight minutes, a brilliant fight of the highest caliber. I liken it to Fedor Emelianenko vs. Mirko Filipovic, which topped Sherdog's list of the greatest Pride fights ever, except with a much higher level of skill, and no clear victor after 25 minutes, which is both good and bad. In the end, no one knew exactly who deserved the decision. Sterling took the split decision to remain champion, but pardoning the cliché, there were no losers in their battle. It's as high-level a contest as MMA has produced yet.

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