The wait is almost over as UFC 273 is nearly upon use. Returning to Jacksonville, Florida, 273 has a stacked fight card with two champions defending their titles at the top of the bill. We’ll touch upon the co-main a little later, but our focus is on the featherweight showdown between champion Alexander Volkanovski and challenger Chan Sung Jung (The Korean Zombie).
Glance across at Gamble USA’s guide on how to bet on FanDuel, and you’ll see that The Great is a staggering -720 favorite, with the Zombie priced way out at +500. Is this going to be a one-sided beatdown like the books suggest or could an upset be on the cards?
Alexander Volkanovski vs Chan ‘The Korean Zombie’ Sung Jung
A few months ago, many fight fans were looking forward to Volkanovski vs Holloway 3, but unfortunately, Max picked up an injury, which forced him to pull out of the fight. That left UFC supremo Dana White scratching around for a replacement.
Former flyweight and bantamweight champion Henry Cejudo piped up on social media to throw his name in the hat, but given how he vacated his straps previously, Dana was never going to entertain this thought. Ultimately, the Korean Zombie got the call, and here we are.
Of course, this isn’t Chan’s first championship rodeo, having faced Jose Aldo in 2013 at UFC 163. Similar to this event, he was drafted in as a replacement for Anthony Pettis back then. However, Chan didn’t seize the moment and was finished by Aldo in the 4th round, although it’s worth mentioning he did suffer a dislocated shoulder during the fight.
That said, Zombie believes the experience of UFC 163 will benefit him this time around. In the build-up to this week’s fight, he’s been saying how much more relaxed he is (compared to before the Aldo fight), and that he isn’t nervous, unlike before. Chan Sung Jung comes into UFC 273 off the back of a unanimous decision win against Dan Ige. However, prior to that, he was 2 and 2 from his last 4.
Alexander Volkanovski is nicknamed ‘The Great’, and he’s certainly living up to that title. This is a man who hasn’t lost a fight in 9 years (although many thought Holloway beat him in their second fight).
You only need to look at the names on Volkanovski’s resume, which include Holloway (2), Ortega, Aldo, and Mendes, to appreciate this man is the real deal. However, he’s not a knockout artist, with 7 of his 10 wins in the UFC octagon coming by way of decision.
Could this play into the Zombie’s favor? If he’s not scared of Volkanovski’s power, it may give him the confidence to get stuck in. For sure, that’s easier said than done when you’re up against The Great, who is operating a few levels above everyone else at the moment. Our money is on Volkanovski (-125 to win by decision).
Sterling vs Yan
This could quite easily be the fight of the night. Aljamain Sterling and Petr Yan have unfinished business, considering how the first bout finished. Yan went into that fight as the champ but inexcusably threw an illegal knee in the 4th round, leaving Sterling unable to continue. Having been declared the winner by disqualification, Sterling left with the belt (as per the rules) despite being behind on most people’s scorecards.
Sterling hasn’t fought since due to having neck surgery, whereas Yan got back in the “W” column with a dominant performance against Cory Sandhagen in October. Having rocked up to this week’s presser wearing an NFL helmet, Aljamain is clearing trying to bait Yan, but surely lightning won’t strike twice. We believe Petr Yan is on a mission to get his belt back, and that’s what will happen.
