The bantamweight champion’s plan for 2026 appears to differ from the UFC’s.
Petr Yan is looking ahead to the first title defense of his second reign at 135 pounds, having returned to the throne with a huge upset in the main event of UFC 323.
The promotion’s pay-per-view schedule for 2025 closed out with Yan getting revenge on Merab Dvalishvili and ending the Georgian’s historic rule over the bantamweight division.
Having made three successful title defenses this year, there is little doubt that ‘The Machine’ deserves an immediate chance to win back the belt. Dvalishvili said the UFC even promised as much soon after the Yan rematch.
“The UFC contacted me and said, ‘Please rest as long as you want, your next fight is a rematch with Petr Yan for the belt. Rest as long as you want and call us when you’re ready,’” Dvalishvili told MMA Pros Pick.
Yan, however, has different plans.
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Who should Petr Yan fight next?
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Petr Yan echoes Sean O’Malley’s calls for a UFC White House rematch
The Russian titleholder caused a stir in the aftermath of his five-round win over Dvalishvili when he dismissed talk of a trilogy fight.
Yan told Dvalishvili what he had to do, suggesting that his rival will need a second win over Umar Nurmagomedov to earn an opportunity to regain the gold.
Despite the UFC seemingly promising Dvalishvili the fight in his…
2025-12-28 15:00:00
