How Petr Yan built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.
Petr Yan is a Russian mixed martial artist competing in the UFC's Bantamweight division. A former UFC Bantamweight Champion, he also previously held the ACB Bantamweight Championship. As of January 2025, he is ranked #2 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
December 2014: MMA Debut
In December 2014, Petr Yan debuted in MMA at the Eurasian Fighting Championship - Baikal Fight, securing a third-round knockout victory over Murad Bakiev.
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October 2015: Victory over Murad Kalamov
In October 2015, Yan defeated Murad Kalamov by unanimous decision, earning him a championship fight opportunity in the bantamweight division.
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2015: ACB Contract and Victories
In 2015, Yan signed with Absolute Championship Berkut (ACB). During the year he also gained fans after defeating Brazilian fighter Renato Velame by decision and Kharon Orzumiev by first-round submission.
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March 2016: First Career Loss
On March 26, 2016, Yan faced Magomed Magomedov at ACB 32 in Moscow and lost by split decision after five rounds. Although Yan lost the bantamweight title fight, it was voted ACB's best fight of the year.
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September 2017: ACB Title Defense
In September 2017, Yan defended his ACB bantamweight title against Matheus Mattos at ACB 71 in Moscow, winning by third-round knockout.
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2017: ACB Bantamweight Championship
In 2017, Petr Yan defeated Magomed Magomedov by unanimous decision in their rematch at ACB 57 in Moscow, becoming the ACB bantamweight champion.
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January 2018: Signs with UFC
In January 2018, following his first title defense, Petr Yan signed a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
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June 2018: UFC Debut
On June 23, 2018, Yan made his UFC debut against Teruto Ishihara at UFC Fight Night 132, winning by technical knockout in the first round.
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September 2018: Fight Night Win Against Jin Soo Son
In September 2018, at UFC Fight Night 136, Yan defeated Jin Soo Son by unanimous decision, earning the Fight of the Night award after Douglas Silva de Andrade pulled out due to injury.
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December 2018: TKO Victory Against de Andrade
On December 29, 2018, at UFC 232, Yan defeated Douglas Silva de Andrade by technical knockout in round two after de Andrade's corner stopped the fight.
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January 2019: New UFC Contract
On January 10, 2019, Petr Yan announced he signed a new four-fight contract with the UFC.
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February 2019: Victory Over John Dodson
On February 23, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 145, Yan defeated John Dodson by unanimous decision.
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June 2019: Victory over Jimmie Rivera
On June 8, 2019, at UFC 238, Yan defeated Jimmie Rivera by unanimous decision.
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December 2019: Knockout Victory Against Urijah Faber
On December 14, 2019, at UFC 245, Yan defeated Urijah Faber by knockout in the third round, earning the Performance of the Night award.
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July 2020: UFC Bantamweight Championship Victory
On July 12, 2020, at UFC 251, Yan defeated José Aldo by technical knockout in the fifth round to win the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship.
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December 2020: Title Defense Cancelled
In December 2020, Yan's scheduled title defense against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 256 was cancelled.
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March 2021: Loss of Title by Disqualification
On March 6, 2021, at UFC 259, Yan lost his UFC Bantamweight Championship to Aljamain Sterling by disqualification in the fourth round due to an illegal knee.
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October 2021: Interim Championship Win
In October 2021, at UFC 267, Yan defeated Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision to win the interim UFC Bantamweight Championship after Sterling withdrew, also earning the Fight of the Night award.
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January 2022: Sterling Rematch Delayed
In January 2022, the title unification rematch between Yan and Aljamain Sterling, originally scheduled for March 5th, was pushed back to April 9th at UFC 273.
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March 2022: Split Decision Loss to Sterling
In March 2022, at UFC 272 (later changed to UFC 273 in April), Yan lost the title unification rematch against Aljamain Sterling via split decision, also earning him third place in the "Fan Bonus of the Night" award.
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October 2022: Controversial Loss to O'Malley
In October 2022, at UFC 280, Yan lost to Sean O'Malley via split decision in a highly controversial fight that earned the Fight of the Night bonus but was considered the "2022 Robbery of the Year" by Sherdog.
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March 2023: Loss to Dvalishvili
In March 2023, at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili, Yan lost to Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision.
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December 2023: Withdrawal from Yadong Fight
In December 2023, Yan withdrew from his scheduled UFC Fight Night 233 headliner against Song Yadong due to an injury.
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March 2024: Victory Over Song Yadong Despite Injury
In March 2024, at UFC 299, Yan defeated Song Yadong by unanimous decision, despite tearing his ACL and meniscus in the first round.
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November 2024: Victory Over Figueiredo
On November 23, 2024, Yan defeated Deiveson Figueiredo by unanimous decision in the main event at UFC Fight Night 248.
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January 2025: UFC Bantamweight Ranking
As of January 2025, Petr Yan is ranked #2 in the UFC bantamweight rankings.
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