Nobody knows more about the next bantamweight title fight than Petr Yan.
The former two-time UFC Bantamweight Champion more than likely secured another title opportunity in the co-main event of UFC Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
After defeating Deiveson Figueiredo in the main event of UFC Macau, Petr Yan returned to three rounds against #13-ranked contender and Sean O’Malley’s teammate Marcus McGhee.
Yan had a slow start like he usually does, winning rounds 2 and 3 with his striking and some grappling as well. Yan was awarded the unanimous decision, his third straight win in the bantamweight division.
Yan knows what he wants next, and that’s the winner of Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320.
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Petr Yan makes ’60-40′ prediction for Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen
Yan has went 10 rounds with the champion and his next challenger.
‘No Mercy’ won the interim bantamweight title in 2022 after he lost the undisputed belt via disqualification to Aljamain Sterling. Yan had to fight a game Sandhagen across five rounds at UFC 280 to get it, winning by unanimous decision in one of the toughest challenges and greatest performances of his career.
The champion Dvalishvili had his way with Yan in 2023, taking him down 11 times out of a whopping 49 attempts to win a lopsided decision.
Who does Yan favor in a battle of former foes?
“I think [the odds are] 60-40 and Merab is a favorite,” Yan leaned toward Dvalishvili on the UFC Abu Dhabi post-show.
“I wanna fight the winner of this fight,” Yan added.
“I already beat Cory Sandhagen before and I just wanna face Merab when I’m completely healthy.”
Yan has said in the past he was injured heading into his 2023 fight with Dvalishvili.
Petr Yan explains why he didn’t wait for title shot
Coming off back-to-back wins over Song Yadong and former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, Yan very well could have waited for the UFC to give him a title opportunity.
Yan says the UFC even promised him the title shot, but he opted against it, taking a fight with McGhee in the meantime.
“I just want to stay active,” Yan said through a translator.
“I already told the organization, I wanted to fight 5 rounds, 10 rounds, I’m gonna do it.
“I’m healthy, young, and I want to provide for my family.
“I have a big family,” Yan revealed.
“I have seven siblings, so I’m working hard so everyone will be happy,” Yan added.
Christopher De Santiago
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