UFC men’s featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski
(Getty Images)
In the main event of UFC 273 tonight, Alexander Volkanovski defends the men’s featherweight title in what he has called a “legacy fight” against the “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung.
Volkanovski (23-1) won the belt from Max Holloway in 2019 before retaining it against the Hawaiian in 2020 – with a controversial decision victory – and the pair were set for a trilogy bout earlier this year. An injury to Holloway, however, ruled out the former champion, setting up veteran Sung Jung (17-6) to challenge for the strap for the second time in his career. The South Korean came up short against then-title holder Jose Aldo in 2013 and is a big underdog tonight, with Australian Volkanovski riding a 20-fight win streak.
At the co-main event in Jacksonville, Florida, Petr Yan looks to regain the men’s bantamweight belt from Aljamain Sterling, to whom the Russian dropped the title last year via disqualification due to an illegal knee. Sterling (20-3) has not fought since due to a neck surgery, while Yan (16-2) claimed the interim title in a fight of the year contender against Cory Sandhagen in October.
Those fights follow the people’s main event, which sees the most-hyped prospect in the UFC, Khamzat Chimaev, take on former title challenger Gilbert Burns (20-4) in a welterweight clash. It is set to be the toughest test yet for the unbeaten Chimaev (10-0), though the Russian-born Swede has won all of his fights via finish, leading many fans to see this as the next step in his rapid rise to the top. Follow live updates from the UFC 273 main card and prelims, below.
UFC 273 LIVE
Now we have all-American strawweight action!
No 5 Mackenzie Dern (11-2) takes on No 7 Tecia Torres (13-5).
alex pattle10 April 2022 03:56
UFC 273 LIVE
Mark Madsen def. Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
alex pattle10 April 2022 03:43
UFC 273 LIVE
Pitcher vs. Madsen – Round 3
Pitcher with more success to the head of Madsen before driving the Dane to the fence.
Madsen gets the better of the grappling exchange, though, and takes down Pichel.
Madsen is completely in control now. His corner of him asked him for a takedown, and he obliged. Now he’s on course to edge a decision, you’d predict.
alex pattle10 April 2022 03:40
UFC 273 LIVE
Pitcher vs. Madsen – Round 2
Pitcher lands a combination up top and then, against the odds, takes down the Olympic medalist wrestler!
alex pattle10 April 2022 03:36
UFC 273 LIVE
Pitcher vs. Madsen – Round 2
Harsh left body kick by Pichel as Madsen comes forward. He then lands hooks off both sides.
Madsen opts to grapple, and the fight hits the mat. Pichel looks for a leg lock, but Madsen eventually escapes and stands.
Pitcher is also up on his feet.
alex pattle10 April 2022 03:35
UFC 273 LIVE
Pitcher vs. Madsen – Round 1
Madsen with a nice left hand. He times a double-leg takedown well and secures it!
He briefly tries for a guillotine, but Pichel slips out and gets behind Madsen very quickly – impressive stuff.
The American opts to stand and separate. Madsen lands a big right hand!
alex pattle10 April 2022 03:29
UFC 273 LIVE
Pitcher vs. Madsen – Round 1
Pitcher switching stances early on. Madsen lands a couple of low kicks. Pitcher with a front body kick.
Another hard leg kick from Madsen. The crowd is a little quiet for this one so far.
Pitcher rushes forward with feints up top and an outside low kick. The American misses with an overhand right.
alex pattle10 April 2022 03:27
UFC 273 LIVE
Both men emerge to AC/DC tracks.
alex pattle10 April 2022 03:23
UFC 273 LIVE
Vinc Pichel (14-2) and Mark Madsen (11-0) clash in a lightweight bout to get us under way.
American Pichel is 39 years old, Denmark’s Madsen is 37.
Madsen won Olympic silver in Greco-Roman wrestling at the 2016 Games in Rio.
alex pattle10 April 2022 03:15
UFC 273 LIVE
It’s time for the main card!
Two title fights and another look at Khamzat Chimaev in action. Plus, two bouts before that to get us going.
Alexander Volkanovski (C) vs. Chan Sung Jung (featherweight title)
Aljamain Sterling (C) vs. Petr Yan (IC) (bantamweight title)
Gilbert Burns vs. Khamzat Chimaev (welterweight)
Mackenzie Dern vs. Tecia Torres (women’s strawweight)
Vinc Pichel vs. Mark Madsen (lightweight)
alex pattle10 April 2022 03:08
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