UFC 273: Volkanovski vs The Korean Zombie | 6th Round Post-Fight Show

Bloody Elbow fight expert, Zane Simon is back, joined by fellow analyst, Mookie Alexander, filling in for our absentee co-host, Eddie Mercado. We recorded for you on Saturday, April 9th, 2022, with a breakdown of the UFC 273: ‘Volkanovski vs. The Korean Zombie’ now 12-bout PPV event; which was simulcast in English & Spanish exclusively on ESPN+ from the sold out VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, in Jacksonville, Florida. The card brought us two title fights, as well as a wide array of compelling clashes in a number of relevant divisions. So, let’s check out this banger of a card…

The guys have hot takes, possible next fights, as well as reactions to the overall event in the player above, or they can be caught on our Bloody Elbow Presents YouTube Channel or any of our BE Presents Podcast Network. (SPOILERS…)

The UFC showcased a World Championship Doubleheader this weekend at their UFC 273 PPV event. The first title fight was our Main Event. We had a virtual collision between UFC Featherweight Champion, Alexander ‘The Great’ Volkanovksi, defending his belt against contender, #4 ranked, Chan Sung Jung – ‘The Korean Zombie’.

Volkanovski, the Australian native, was fighting out of Windang, NSW, Australia, after coming off a FOTY title defense against contender Brian Ortega. He also holds noteworthy victories over Max Holloway (twice), Jose Aldo and Chad Mendes. Unbeaten in almost nine years, Alexander is a former professional boxer, ranked #3 in the men’s pound-for-pound rankings with an unprecedented 23-1 record heading into the Octagon for this event.

‘TKZ’, the South Korean kickboxing sensation, beloved by fans for his zombie-like ability to keep moving forward despite taking heavy blows, came at this bout with an impressive 17-6 record fighting out of Seoul, South Korea; in his second UFC Featherweight title opportunity, after bringing us thrilling finishes against Frankie Edgar, Dennis Bermudez and Dustin Poirier. Jung planned to hand Volkanovski his first UFC loss tonight, while achieving his dream of becoming a UFC champion.

In our second title fight of the night, we had “The Funkmaster’ Aljamain Sterling, holding a 20-3 record, fighting out of Uniondale, N.Y. He intended to solidify is claim as the legitimate UFC Bantamweight Champion, after his DQ victory over Yan to capture the belt last year. A BJJ black belt, with stellar wrestling skills, he holds impressive submission wins over Cory Sandhagen, Cody Stamann and Takeya Mizugaki.

The #11 ranked men’s pound-for-pound fighter, Petr Yan, was holding a 16-2 record of his own, fighting out of Yekaterinburg, Russia. Certainly Yan’s game plan was to recapture the UFC Bantamweight Championship, with honor. Yan brought deadly skills as a grappler, as well as a striker to the table. He has provided us with knockouts to remember against Urijah Faber, Jose Aldo and Douglas Silva de Andrade.

Just prior to the co-main event we saw Welterweights Gilbert ‘Durinho’ Burns vs. phenom Khamzat Chimaev GO. TO. WAR! Neither of these guys knows how to put on a boring fight. Burns, the Brazilian native from Rio was fighting out of Florida, holding the distinction of being ranked #2 in the division, as a former title contender; with a storied career record of 20-4.

Fan favorite and internet sensation, #11 ranked Russian finisher, Khamzat ‘Borz’ Chimaev, fighting out of Sweden, with an undefeated 10-0 record walking into the Octagon tonight, had his sights set on inevitably becoming champion, after getting Burns and any other comers out of his way.

Prior to that, we were treated to a Women’s Strawweight banger between #5 ranked contender, Mackenzie Dern, holding an 11-2 record, fighting out of California and ‘The Tiny Tornado’, #7 ranked Tecia Torres, with a 13-5 record, fighting out of Colorado.

Also worth mentioning, in our main card opener, we witnessed a Lightweight tilt between Vinc ‘From Hell’ Pichel, fighting out of Colorado with a 14-2 record and the undefeated, Mark ‘The Olympian’ Madsen, with his intimidating undefeated 11-0 record, fighting out of Arizona, by way of Denmark.

Our featured prelim tonight highlighted one of the seven bouts on the undercard when Welterweight’s collided. We had up-and-comer, big-time prospect, Ian Garry, with an undefeated 8-0 record paired up against the underdog, Darian Weeks, carrying a 5-1 record.

For all the results, reactions and much more detail on the main card, with plenty of tidbits about the seven-bout prelims card as well, be sure to hit play on the show to hear what our fight experts, Zane and Mookie, have to say!

Overall, this now 12-bout card saw two exciting first round finishes, two thrilling KO/TKO’s, one sweet submission, and nine hard-fought decisions, two of those split. Rounding things out, our fighters who were awarded for putting forth BONUS efforts were:

Here’s a look at the UFC 273: ‘VOLKANOVSKI VS THE KOREAN ZOMBIE’ fight card’s full results & updated fight records —

*The two title fights were scheduled for five rounds. The remaining bouts were scheduled for three rounds. | Official UFC Scorecards

ESPN+ PPV CARD | SAT. APR 9
At 1:38 — UFC Featherweight Championship 12. 145lbs: Alexander Volkanovski (24-1) DEF. Chan Sung Jung (17-7) — KO/TKO, Punches (Standing TKO) at 0:45 of Rd 4/5, Total 15:45

At 10:33 — UFC Bantamweight Championship 11. 135lbs: Aljamain Sterling (21-3) DEF. Petr Yan (16-2) — DEC, Split (48-47×2, 47-48)

At 22:01 — 10. 170lbs: Khamzat Chimaev (11-0) DEF. Gilbert Burns (20-5) — DEC, Unanimous (29-28×3)

At 31:13 — 9. 115lbs: Mackenzie Dern (12-2) DEF. Tecia Torres (13-6) — DEC, Split (29-28×2, 28-29)

At 37:28 — 8. 155lbs: Mark Madsen (12-0) DEF. Vinc Pichel (14-3) — DEC, Unanimous (30-27×2, 29-28)

ESPN PRELIMS
At 41:07 — 7. 170lbs: Ian Garry (9-0) DEF. Darian Weeks (5-2) — DEC, Unanimous (30-27×2, 29-28)

At 44:20 — 6. 185lbs: Anthony Hernandez (9-2) DEF. Josh Fremd (9-3) — DEC, Unanimous (30-27×2, 29-28)

At 46:22 — 5. 135lbs: Raquel Pennington (14-8) DEF. Aspen Ladd (9-3) — DEC, Unanimous (28-29×3)

At 51:11 — 4. 170lbs: Mike Malott (8-1) DEF. Mickey Gall (7-5) — KO/TKO, Left Hook to Ground Strikes at 3:41 of Rd 1

UFC FIGHT PASS/ESPN+ EARLY PRELIMS

At 54:26 — 3. 265lbs: Aleksei Oleinik (60-16) DEF. Jared Vanderaa (12-8) — SUB, Neck Crank from Scarf Hold at 3:30 of Rd 1

At 57:10 — 2. 115lbs: Piera Rodriguez (8-0) DEF. Kay Hansen (7-6) — DEC, Unanimous (29-28×3)

At 1:00:13 — 1. 135lbs: Julio Arce (18-5) DEF. Daniel Santos (9-2) — DEC, Unanimous (30-27×2, 29-28)

Sunday morning, April 10th: Check out our video production of the show, with all new enhanced graphics to accompany the guys’ commentary, on our Bloody Elbow Presents YouTube Channel right here:

At that time, timestamps will have been edited into this post for your listening convenience.

Be sure to follow Zane – @TheZaneSimon & Mookie – @MookieAlexander; and follow @BloodyElbow on twitter as well, for all the latest in MMA happenings.

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Join us again for another episode of ‘6th Round’ next week, on Saturday, April 16th, for UFC VEGAS 51: ‘Luque vs. Muhammad 2‘!

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT… WE TALKED TO MICHAEL ‘THE COUNT’ BISPING RECENTLY, CHECK IT OUT!