1. Petr Evgenyevich Yan is a Russian professional mixed martial artist.
33 Facts About Petr Yan
1. 2.
Petr Yan competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, where he is a former UFC Bantamweight Champion.
3.
Petr Yan was born to a father of mixed Chinese and Georgian-Russian descent and a Russian mother.
4.
In sixth grade, Petr Yan began training in ITF taekwondo and often fought in the streets and at the school in his area, so his family often moved to try and prevent this.
5.
Yan's older brother trained in boxing in the city of Dudinka, Krasnoyarsk Krai, and Petr wanted to learn how to box too.
6.
Petr Yan graduated from the Siberian Federal University in the city of Omsk with a degree in Physical Culture and Sport.
7.
Petr Yan debuted in MMA at the Eurasian Fighting Championship - Baikal Fight in December 2014.
8.
Petr Yan won via third-round knockout over Murad Bakiev, who was a debutant.
9.
In 2015, Petr Yan signed a contract with the Russian promotion Absolute Championship Berkut.
10.
Petr Yan was said to have gained many fans after his debut with the promotion where he fought Brazilian fighter Renato Velame, who at the time, already had 26 fights in his MMA career.
11.
In Petr Yan's third fight, he fought and beat Kharon Orzumiev by first-round submission in just 47 seconds.
12.
On 24 October 2015, Petr Yan faced Murad Kalamov and won the fight by unanimous decision.
13.
Petr Yan lost his first fight when he faced Magomed Magomedov on 26 March 2016 in Moscow at ACB 32: "The Battle of Lions".
14.
Petr Yan won the decision and ultimately was crowned the ACB bantamweight champion.
15.
Petr Yan successfully defended his bantamweight title by third-round knockout.
16.
Petr Yan made his promotional debut against Teruto Ishihara on 23 June 2018 at UFC Fight Night 132.
17.
Petr Yan won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.
18.
Petr Yan was briefly scheduled to face top-14 UFC rankings Douglas Silva de Andrade on 15 September 2018 at the UFC Fight Night 136.
19.
Petr Yan won the fight via technical knockout in round two after de Andrade's corner stopped the fight.
20.
On 10 January 2019, Petr Yan revealed on social media that he had signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC.
21.
Petr Yan faced John Dodson on 23 February 2019 at UFC Fight Night 145.
22.
Petr Yan won the fight by unanimous decision, after landing hard punches and kicks whilst Dodson's back was against the cage.
23.
Petr Yan faced Urijah Faber on 14 December 2019 at UFC 245.
24.
Petr Yan then faced former WEC and UFC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo for the vacant title on 12 July 2020 at UFC 251.
25.
Petr Yan won the fight via technical knockout in the fifth round.
26.
Petr Yan was expected to make his first title defense against Aljamain Sterling on 12 December 2020 at UFC 256.
27.
Petr Yan lost the fight by disqualification in the fourth round due to an illegal knee, losing the UFC Bantamweight Championship.
28.
Petr Yan faced Sean O'Malley on 22 October 2022 at UFC 280.
29.
The decision was seen as highly controversial with many fans and fighters adamantly expressing their belief that Petr Yan was the rightful winner.
30.
Petr Yan faced Merab Dvalishvili on 11 March 2023 at UFC Fight Night: Petr Yan vs Dvalishvili.
31.
Petr Yan was scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 233 against Song Yadong on 9 December 2023.
32.
However, Petr Yan withdrew from the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Chris Gutierrez, whom Song would defeat.
33.
Petr Yan faced former two-time UFC Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo on 23 November 2024 in the main event at UFC Fight Night 248.