Petr Yan News
Petr Yan claims he was at '50%' health for first fight with Merab Dvalishvili ahead of likely rematch
Curtis Calhoun - October 7, 2025
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan revealed he fought Merab Dvalishvili significantly compromised ahead of a likely rematch. UFC bantamweight titleholder Merab Dvalishvili retained his title in largely dominant fashion against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 last Saturday. Despite Sandhagen proving to be a tough test on the feet, Dvalishvili challenged Sandhagen with his vastly improved striking en route to a decision victory.
Petr Yan calls for rematch with Merab Dvalishvili after UFC 320
Harry Kettle - October 5, 2025
UFC bantamweight contender Petr Yan has made it clear that he wants to fight Merab Dvalishvili in his next outing. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili was as impressive as ever at UFC 320 last night. He defeated Cory Sandhagen to successfully defend his UFC bantamweight championship for the third time and now, fans are already starting to look ahead to what could be next for him. On paper, it doesn’t seem as if there are any immediate challenges that lie in front of him – but Petr Yan disagrees with that assessment.
Merab Dvalishvili name drops worthy contender after UFC 320 title fight against Cory Sandhagen
Fernando Quiles Jr. - August 31, 2025
Merab Dvalishvili has an idea of who should get a bantamweight title shot after UFC 320. Dvalishvili is scheduled to put his gold at stake against Cory Sandhagen on Oct. 4. The bout will serve as the co-main event of UFC 320. “The Machine” has long called Sandhagen a worthy challenger, and the two even had a staredown inside the Octagon after Dvalishvili defeated Sean O’Malley at UFC 316.
Aljamain Sterling explains what's special about former rival Petr Yan
Harry Kettle - August 1, 2025
Aljamain Sterling has explained why his former rival Petr Yan is such a special fighter after his win over Marcus McGhee. Following his recent win over Marcus McGhee, Petr Yan has now won three on the bounce in the Ultimate Fighting Championship. While we all know that the bantamweight division is absolutely stacked, there’s every chance that he could earn himself another crack at the title in the not-so-distant future.
Petr Yan open to having 'fire fight' with Marcus McGhee to earn next title shot: 'Cement my place'
Cole Shelton - July 24, 2025
Petr Yan is hoping to secure the next bantamweight title shot at UFC Abu Dhabi. Yan is set to take on McGhee in an intriguing fight, as the American is taking a massive step-up in competition. Although Yan could have gotten a title shot, he took this fight to cement himself as the next title contender.
Petr Yan thinks UFC Abu Dhabi win could lead to another title fight
Fernando Quiles Jr. - July 23, 2025
Petr Yan is viewing his next fight as an audition for another UFC title opportunity. Yan, a former UFC Bantamweight Champion, will go one-on-one with Marcus McGhee at UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday. While some are wondering if this could be a trap fight for Yan, “No Mercy” is motivated by what he believes will be a high-stakes matchup.
Marcus McGhee ecstatic to fight Petr Yan at UFC Abu Dhabi: "My game is to finish guys"
Cole Shelton - July 22, 2025
Marcus McGhee was surprised he got the call to fight Petr Yan at UFC Abu Dhabi. McGhee is ranked 13th at bantamweight and thought he’d get a top-10 opponent next. Yet, he got the call to fight former champion and third-ranked bantamweight Petr Yan at UFC bantamweight, which was a surprise to him.
Petr Yan scolds Sean O’Malley following his submission loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316
Harry Kettle - June 8, 2025
UFC bantamweight Petr Yan has hit out at former rival Sean O’Malley following the latter’s loss at UFC 316 last night. As we know, Sean O’Malley challenged Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC bantamweight championship on Saturday evening. It served as the main event of UFC 316, and while ‘Suga’ certainly showed improvements in some areas, he ultimately wasn’t able to stand up to the overwhelming power and wrestling ability of Dvalishvili. In the end, ‘The Machine’ earned an impressive third round submission victory.
Sean O'Malley reveals UFC fight that made him realize he was living out his MMA dreams
BJ Penn Staff - May 30, 2025
Over the last few years, Sean O’Malley has become one of the biggest stars in the UFC. It’s been a dream come true for the bantamweight star, and he remembers the specific fight where he realized everything he had hoped for was becoming a reality. It was in the lead up to a 2022 fight with former bantamweight champ Petr Yan that O’Malley recognized his dreams were coming true. At the time, O’Malley was ranked way below Yan in the bantamweight rankings. So much so that many fans felt the fight was a huge mismatch. In the end, however, O’Malley defeated the former champ by decision in a thrilling, three-round war, cementing himself as a legit title contender in the offing.
UFC fans react after Petr Yan is booked against Sean O’Malley’s teammate
Harry Kettle - May 30, 2025
UFC star Petr Yan has been booked against Sean O’Malley’s teammate Marcus McGhee – and fans have some thoughts about it. Over the course of the last five years, Petr Yan has been on an interesting journey. From bantamweight champion to top contender, he’s been through a whole lot of ups and downs. Now, after getting back on the winning trail, he’s trying desperately to vault his way back into contention.
Former UFC champ Petr Yan to take big step down in competition for next fight
BJ Penn Staff - May 6, 2025
Petr Yan will be taking a huge step down in competition for his next UFC fight — unless his fellow contender Cory Sandhagen agrees to a matchup. Yan is the former UFC bantamweight champion, and is ranked No. 2 in the weight class at present. He is currently riding back-to-back decision wins over Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo. Ordinarily, that might be enough to warrant a title shot. There’s just one problem. Yan has already lost to champion Merab Dvalishvili, as well as No. 1 contender Sean O’Malley, who will challenge for the belt at UFC 316 in June.
Cory Sandhagen open to rematching Petr Yan in a No. 1 contender fight: "I was winning that fight"
Cole Shelton - May 5, 2025
Cory Sandhagen believes he deserves the next title shot, but is open to taking another fight. Sandhagen scored a second-round stoppage win over Deiveson Figueiredo on Saturday at UFC Des Moines. It got him back in the win column, and after the victory, he called for a title shot.
Petr Yan gives Aljamain Sterling an Oscar in amusing interaction
Harry Kettle - February 3, 2025
UFC star Petr Yan gave his former bantamweight rival Aljamain Sterling an Oscar in an amusing interaction recently. Petr Yan was once considered to be one of the best pound for pound fighters in the UFC. In the eyes of some, that may still be the case. However, his career suddenly went in a very different direction when he began his rivalry with Aljamain Sterling. Despite controlling most of their first fight, Yan wound up losing the UFC bantamweight championship to Aljamain as a result of an illegal knee.
Petr Yan shows interest in Sean O'Malley rematch with title shot unlikely: "I'm leaning towards it"
Josh Evanoff - December 3, 2024
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan wants another crack at Sean O’Malley. ‘No Mercy’ is fresh off his return to the octagon last month in Macau, China. Back for the first time since halting Song Yadong’s rise in March, Petr Yan met Deiveson Figueiredo. For his part, the former flyweight champion was undefeated since moving to bantamweight last year, recently beating Marlon Vera in August.
Familiar name wants rematch with Petr Yan following UFC Macau win over Deiveson Figueiredo
Fernando Quiles Jr. - November 27, 2024
Following UFC Macau, Petr Yan has a familiar name who is looking to run it back. Yan was back in action this past Saturday in a headlining spot. He took on fellow ex-UFC champion Deiveson Figueiredo in a pivotal bantamweight contest. The bout went to the final horn at the end of round five, and Yan was awarded the unanimous decision victory.
Sean O’Malley reacts to Merab Dvalishvili’s recent callout of Petr Yan: “Merab is absolutely s***ing himself terrified of Umar”
Harry Kettle - November 26, 2024
Sean O’Malley doesn’t believe that Merab Dvalishvili is overly interested in the idea of fighting Umar Nurmagomedov. As we know, Merab Dvalishvili is the rightful UFC bantamweight champion. He defeated Sean O’Malley to claim the belt for the first time and ever since then, fans have been wondering who he’ll defend against first. Some have suggested an O’Malley rematch, whereas others believe Umar Nurmagomedov and Petr Yan are the top two contenders – especially after the latter’s win over Deiveson Figueiredo last weekend.
Merab Dvalishvili challenges Petr Yan to rematch at March’s UFC 313 event in Las Vegas: “LFG!”
Harry Kettle - November 25, 2024
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has challenged Petr Yan to a rematch at UFC 313 in March 2025. Last weekend, Petr Yan made a statement. He defeated Deiveson Figueiredo and in doing so, put himself firmly back in the title picture at bantamweight. Of course, as many people know, he’s fought Merab Dvalishvili before. On that occasion, Dvalishvili was able to totally control Yan with his relentless pace and style, earning a fantastic and dominant victory in the process.
Pros react after Petr Yan defeats Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau
Chris Taylor - November 23, 2024
Today’s UFC Macau event was headlined by a key men’s bantamweight bout featuring Petr Yan taking on Deiveson Figueiredo. Yan (18-5 MMA) was returning to the Octagon for the first time since defeating Song Yadong by unanimous decision at March’s UFC 299 event. That win had snapped a three-fight losing skid for the former bantamweight champion, as ‘No Mercy’ had previously dropped three straight decisions to Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvilli respectively.