After a powerful win over Marcus McGhee in Abu Dhabi, Petr Yan believes he’s prepared for one more shot at his former bantamweight belt.
Yan is now on a 3 combat win streak — ok, he believes to earn him a combat towards the winner of champion Merab Dvalishvili vs. Cory Sandhagen set for UFC 320 on October 4th in Las Vegas, Nevada. However the press row in Abu Dhabi had different solutions for him.
Would he, for instance, be fascinated with combating No. 2 ranked Umar Nurmagomedov in Qatar close to the tip of the yr?
“Proper now, I’m not fascinated with combating Umar in November in Qatar,” Yan stated on the post-fight press convention by a translator (video by way of MMA Junkie). “I used to be supplied a combat towards him in Baku, Azerbaijan. I accepted it, however they couldn’t settle for it. Then I requested for July they usually additionally couldn’t make it. Proper now, I’m solely centered on a title shot.”
Umar Nurmagomedov was a scorching fantasy matchmaking topic final evening. However whereas Nurmagomedov vs. Yan can be an excellent combat, there are stories that the UFC is within the means of matching Umar up towards Mario Bautista.
If the UFC is keen to line Yan up for a bantamweight title combat, he might combat Dvalishvili or Sandhagen. Yan has fought each of them earlier than, and beat Sandhagen again in 2021. Regardless of this, he’d moderately attempt to avenge his loss to present champ Merab Dvalishvili, who beat him in 2023.
“Clearly, I want to rematch Merab to see how I’ll do towards him once I’m wholesome,” he stated. “However, Cory’s additionally an excellent fighter, fascinating fighter. I had an excellent combat with him. I imagine they’re going to have a very good combat, however I simply imagine Merab’s strain goes to be a key issue. Sooner or later, Cory’s going to fade.”
Main into UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder, Yan stated the UFC had already advised him he was subsequent in line for a bantamweight title shot.
“I used to be advised that I can wait and I’ll be subsequent in line for the title,” he stated in a video for Gorilla Power Drink. “However I don’t wish to wait, and I don’t wish to be an inactive fighter.”
After the win, Dvalishvili complimented Yan on the win.
“Thanks Merab, good luck in your subsequent combat,” Yan tweeted again. “Hopefully it’s me and also you for the belt after.”
