Petr Yan (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Referee Leon Roberts has been taking some heat for not stopping the Petr Yan – Jose Aldo bout sooner at UFC 251. But, according to the new bantamweight champ Yan, Roberts made the right call.

Yan battled Aldo for the vacant bantamweight title on Saturday night, and secured the belt via a fifth round, stoppage.

But, since Aldo took over 60 shots from Yan in the final frame, and was bloodied in a pro-longed, ground-and-pound attack, Roberts has been criticized for not intervening sooner. Dana White was one of the people to blast the referee.

When Yan was asked to comment on the fight’s stoppage, however, the rising Russian star argued Roberts had acted accordingly (quotes via MMA Junkie).

“I think everything was right,” Yan said. “It was a championship fight between two warriors. Just not to leave any questions behind, the referee made that choice.”

Yan (15-1) was also asked about who he should face next, and the new champ pointed to Aljamain Sterling.

“I think Aljamain Sterling deserves to fight for the title,” Yan said. “He’s on a good streak. He beat a lot of good guys.”

Sterling (19-3) has won five straight bouts and has defeated contenders like Jimmie Rivera, Pedro Munhoz and Corey Sandhagen during that stretch.