Opening Odds for Aljamain Sterling vs Petr Yan 2
- Aljamain Sterling won the bantamweight title by DQ at UFC 259 on Saturday, March 6th, 2021
- Dana White has made it clear the rematch will be next
- Sportsbooks have opened odds, but how will the odds change
Entering UFC 259, Aljamain Sterling vs Petr Yan was a fight many fans were looking forward to. On paper, it was the most evenly matched title fight.
In the lead-up to the fight, the big question was – Could Yan stuff Sterling’s takedowns? If the fight went to the ground, many thought Sterling would have success. However, the Russian stuffed 16 of 17 takedowns, and he was actually seven for seven on takedowns. He also dropped Sterling in the first and was picking him apart.
Although Yan was clearly winning the fight, in the fourth round, he threw an illegal knee and the fight was called. The official result ending up being a DQ loss, and Sterling became the new champion.
Now, after UFC 259, sportsbooks have released odds for the rematch.
Aljamain Sterling vs Petr Yan 2 Odds
| Fighter | Odds |
|---|---|
| Aljamain Sterling | +220 |
| Petr Yan | -260 |
Odds as of March 8
Why Is Petr Yan a Big Favorite?
The first time around, Yan was a slight favorite, but it ended up going back-and-forth all week as it was a pick’em for the majority of fight week, but the champ ended up closing as a slight favorite.
Aljamain Sterling is the NEW UFC Bantamweight Champion after this illegal knee disqualified Petr Yan #UFC259pic.twitter.com/lQ6ITgu9ip
— Spinnin Backfist (@SpinninBackfist) March 7, 2021
The odds were a pick’em because people still had questions on whether or not Yan was a good grappler which impacted the odds. Although the Russian lost the fight, it shouldn’t be surprising to see Yan be the favorite. He was easily stuffing the takedowns and was picking Sterling apart, while the American was also gassing.
Yan arguably won all three rounds, and honestly, I don’t see how Sterling can win a rematch. He didn’t have the cardio to go five rounds and, he can’t get the Russian down which leads him to be picked apart on the feet.
How Might the Odds Change?
This is the big question, and it is hard to tell.
I was all over Petr Yan at a pick’em price, and I actually liked him when he was a slight favorite at -140. I didn’t understand why money was coming in on Sterling, and the fight proved that.
The doctor has called off the fight after speaking to Aljamain Sterling, who was struck with an illegal knee by Petr Yan at #UFC259 pic.twitter.com/oRLduQfraV
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) March 7, 2021
Unfortunately, at this current line, it is hard to bet as this is exactly how I lined it and I don’t really see value on Yan. There is a chance the Russian makes another mistake like this again.
However, I do expect Yan to likely close around -300. The reason being, people are mad at Sterling for the fact he is posing with the belt and calling himself the champion. He also didn’t show bettors how he could possibly win this fight against Yan.
Cole graduated from Sheridan College in April of 2019 with a diploma in journalism. He now is a full-time freelance writer, focusing on MMA for sites like BJPENN, while also covering the Toronto Blue Jays as a credentialed media member. At SBD, Cole covers the four major sports and MMA.
