Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan is preparing for a fight against Marcus McGhee at UFC Abu Dhabi this Saturday after his intended bout with Umar Nurmagomedov was declined by Nurmagomedov’s team. Yan, who is ranked third in the bantamweight division, had hoped to secure a fight that could lead him closer to reclaiming his title but needed to stay active after the opportunity with Nurmagomedov did not materialize.
Yan’s Search for a Willing Opponent in the Top Ranks
Yan expressed frustration that few fighters ranked in the top ten accepted the challenge to face him. When asked about his willingness to fight anyone, Yan responded,
“I said give me anybody and I’ll fight them.”
He emphasized the urgency to compete, stating,
“I was actually very happy to have a fight. I knew that people from top 5, top 10, there was nobody there who wanted to fight me. Once I knew that there was an opponent I was happy to fight,”
Yan told reporters through a translator on Wednesday.
Details of the Offer to Umar Nurmagomedov and Its Decline
Petr Yan revealed that he had been offered a high-profile five-round fight against Umar Nurmagomedov in Baku, Azerbaijan. Yan accepted the fight offer immediately but his opponent’s team did not agree to the matchup for reasons unknown. Yan explained,
“I was offered a 5-round fight against Umar Nurmagomedov in Baku, Azerbaijan,”
and added,
“I accepted the fight right away, but for their own reason, his team didn’t accept the fight. I knew I wanted to fight as soon as possible in the next possible opportunity was to fight in Abu Dhabi.”
Upcoming Fight and Its Potential Impact
Now set to face Marcus McGhee, who is currently ranked twelfth, Yan will look to secure a win that could reinstate him as a contender in the bantamweight division. This bout at UFC Abu Dhabi serves as a critical step for Yan to maintain momentum towards a potential title rematch, keeping him relevant in a competitive division where securing willing opponents remains challenging.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Umar Nurmagomedov ever lost a fight?
A. Merab Dvalishvili showcased his incredible endurance and handed Umar Nurmagomedov his first defeat at #UFC311, showing he’s like a machine in the ring.
Q. Did Umar Nurmagomedov ever lose?
A. Khabib Nurmagomedov commented after Umar Nurmagomedov experienced his first defeat at UFC 311. He also discussed Islam Makhachev’s title defense, sharing his thoughts on both events.
Q. Has Umar Nurmagomedov ever lost?
A. Nurmagomedov challenged Merab Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight title on January 18, 2025, at UFC 311. He suffered his first MMA defeat, losing by unanimous decision.