Petr Yan has opted to face unranked contender Marcus McGhee in July instead of waiting for his next UFC bantamweight title shot. While many fighters in his position might prefer to wait for a championship opportunity, Yan has decided to stay active and compete sooner.
Following three challenging defeats to Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley, and Merab Dvalishvili, Yan regained momentum with consecutive victories against Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo. Rather than targeting a higher-ranked adversary, he prioritized regular competition over political matchmaking.
In an interview with Gorilla Energy, Yan explained his reasoning:
“I was told that I can wait and I’ll be next in line for the title, but I don’t want to wait and I don’t want to be an inactive fighter. I want to fight twice this year, if possible. I just wanted to fight in July, they found me an opponent, and I’m ready.”
—Petr Yan, Fighter
Yan’s journey as the bantamweight champion remains well-known among MMA fans. He captured the vacant title in 2020 by stopping Jose Aldo via TKO, but lost it in a controversial disqualification against Sterling. He later claimed the interim belt by defeating Cory Sandhagen but fell short in the title rematch with Sterling. At UFC 280, Yan lost a highly disputed split decision against Sean O’Malley in a title eliminator bout.
Yan Criticizes Sean O’Malley Following UFC 316 Result
After Sean O’Malley’s third-round submission loss to Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 316, Yan quickly responded with criticism. Having previously lost a controversial decision to O’Malley in 2022, Yan expressed his views on social media without hesitation. O’Malley was subdued by the relentless grappling and pressure of Dvalishvili during the fight.
Yan’s Standing in UFC Bantamweight History
Aside from being a fierce competitor in the octagon, Petr Yan ranks third in UFC bantamweight history for both significant strikes landed, with a total of 1,236, and overall strikes, totaling 1,628. Yan’s aggressive style and striking volume have established him as a prominent figure in the division.
By choosing to face Marcus McGhee now, Yan demonstrates a commitment to maintaining momentum and readiness for another title run. This decision may influence the bantamweight landscape, particularly with key figures like Sterling, O’Malley, and others continuing to vie for the championship. Fans and analysts will watch closely to see how Yan’s upcoming bout affects his trajectory toward the belt.