UFC 273 LIVE results: Volkanovski vs Korean Zombie latest updates
Re-live updates from a stacked card, where two title fights followed Khamzat Chimaev vs Gilbert Burns
Rising star Khamzat Chimaev stayed unbeaten with a split-decision win against Gilbert Burns at UFC 273 on Saturday.
Chimaev (11-0) had won his previous 10 fights via finish, absorbing just one significant strike across four UFC bouts prior to his welterweight meeting with former title challenger Burns in Jacksonville, Florida. And, while the Russian-born Swede lived up to the hype in beating the No 2-ranked 170lbs fighter in the UFC, he did not run through Burns (20-5) as some had predicted. Both men dropped one another and took each other down in a wildly entertaining fight that had the fans captivated from start to finish, with Chimaev, 28, eventually edging past the Brazilian via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28).
After that highly-anticipated bout, the co-main event saw Aljamain Sterling unify the men’s bantamweight belts against Petr Yan. Jamaican-American Sterling won the title from Yan last year when the Russian was disqualified for landing an illegal knee in a fight that he looked on course to win. Yan (16-3) went on to win the interim belt late last year while Sterling (21-3) recovered from neck surgery, and their rematch at UFC 273 was fuelled by bad blood.
Many fans expected Yan to ease past Sterling, but a highly-competitive fight saw Sterling dominate his rival on the canvas in the second and third rounds, before the Russian came on strong in the final two frames – as he so often does. It all came down to a close first round, and Sterling got the nod 48-47, 47-48, 48-47. In the main event, Alexander Volkanovski put on a clinic to retain the men’s featherweight title, stopping the “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung in the fourth round as referee Herb Dean stepped in with the challenger out on his feet.
Australian Volkanovski (24-1) had dropped Sung Jung (17-7) numerous times throughout the contest, proving too fast and slick for the 35-year-old veteran. Re-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).
UFC 273 LIVE
Mark Madsen def. Vinc Pichel via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
UFC 273 LIVE
Pichel vs Madsen – Round 3
Pichel 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 asked him for a takedown, and he obliged. Now he’s on course to edge a decision, you’d predict.
UFC 273 LIVE
Pichel vs Madsen – Round 2
Pichel lands a combination up top and then, against the odds, takes down the Olympic medalist wrestler!
UFC 273 LIVE
Pichel 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.
Pichel is also up on his feet.
UFC 273 LIVE
Pichel 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!
UFC 273 LIVE
Pichel vs Madsen – Round 1
Pichel switching stances early on. Madsen lands a couple of low kicks. Pichel with a front body kick.
Another hard leg kick from Madsen. The crowd is a little quiet for this one so far.
Pichel rushes forward with feints up top and an outside low kick. The American misses with an overhand right.
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.
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.
This should be great.
Main card
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)
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