Petr Yan: Breaking News, Rumors & Highlights

Features

Two big matchups took place in the bantamweight division at the first UFC event of 2026. The more high profile clash saw Sean O’Malley get elevated to the co-main event of UFC 326 following the cancellation of the women’s bantamweight title fight.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 25

Petr Yan Warns Sean O’Malley as He Downplays Rematch Callout After UFC 324

With his return to the win column, Sean O’Malley doesn’t want to give up his momentum. A hard-fought battle saw him secure a unanimous victory over Song Yadong in the UFC 324 co-main event.

MMA News / UFC on ClutchPoints / January 24

Sean O’Malley returns to win column at UFC 324, calls for title shot with champ Petr Yan

Sean O’Malley reclaimed his status as a title contender in waiting on Saturday night, dispatching Song Yadong by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) in the UFC 324 co-main event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

MMA News / UFC on ClutchPoints / January 24

Petr Yan confirms Merab Dvalishvili rematch set regardless of UFC 324 outcomes

UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan has put to rest speculation about his next title defense, confirming that his next opponent will not depend on the outcome of any fights at UFC 324.

MMA News / The Body Lock / January 22

Umar Nurmagomedov Opens Up About Petr Yan Relationship Before UFC 324

Umar Nurmagomedov clarified he and Petr Yan are “not friends and not enemies” ahead of UFC 324 Nurmagomedov doesn’t expect an immediate title shot after

MMA News / UFC on ClutchPoints / January 19

Merab Dvalishvili trilogy with Petr Yan BLOCKED from UFC White House Card

The UFC’s highly anticipated White House event during President Trump’s birthday celebration in June has hit a significant roadblock, and it involves one of the most compelling trilogy storylines in bantamweight history.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 16

Merab Dvalishvili Almost Fought Arman Tsarukyan Before Medical Issue Shut Down His 'Gangster Move'

Merab Dvalishvili has built a reputation on doing the uncomfortable. But according to the former bantamweight champion, one of his boldest moves never made it past the warm-up room!

MMA News / The Body Lock / January 13

Sean O’Malley Reveals Why UFC 324 Fight Feels Different After Title Losses

Sean O’Malley returns to face Song Yadong at UFC 324 on January 24 in Las Vegas O’Malley says he’s entering the second chapter of his career after losing

MMA News / Total Pro Sports / January 12

Sean O’Malley Calls Petr Yan a 'Scary' and Highly Skilled Fighter in Candid Praise

Sean O’Malley may be one of the UFC’s most polarizing stars, but when it comes to recognizing elite talent, “Sugar” keeps it real. The former bantamweight champion recently took a moment to praise Petr Yan, calling the Russian a “scary” and highly skilled fighter.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / January 5

Sean O’Malley drops concerning retirement plan just weeks out from UFC 324 return

Whilst in the midst of his preparation to return to the Octagon, former UFC bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley has made a concerning admission. On January 24 in the premier MMA promotion’s first event of the year, Sean O’Malley returns for a fight on the UFC 324 undercard to take on Chinese fighter, Song Yadong.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / January 5

Paddy Pimblett Supports Legalizing Risky MMA Move That Led to Petr Yan’s UFC Title Loss

Over the past few years, illegal knees to grounded fighters have triggered several high-profile disqualifications across MMA. However, none carried greater consequences than Petr Yan’s disqualification in 2021, when an illegal knee cost him the UFC bantamweight title against Aljamain Sterling.

MMA News / MMA on SI / December 29

UFC Champion Petr Yan targets Sean O'Malley rematch for major UFC event in 2026

Petr Yan apparently wants to avenge his controversial loss to Sean O’Malley as part of the UFC’s planned White House event next year. Currently on a four-fight

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 28

Petr Yan Appeals to Dana White for Revenge Fight and Payday on UFC White House Card

UFC’s biggest event next year, the White House fight card, is running into major challenges. At first, superstar fighters who were once eager to join the lineup are now dropping out one by one, leaving Dana White with very few options.

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MMA News / Bloody Elbow / December 28

Sean O’Malley gets a boost as Petr Yan sends UFC a message pushing back on Merab Dvalishvili promise

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.

MMA News / Bloody Elbow / December 26

YouTuber SteveWillDoIt ‘accidentally’ wins $1.2million with Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili bet

YouTube star SteveWillDoIt placed a whopping $300,000 bet when he saw that Petr Yan was an underdog at UFC 323 – without knowing why he was poorly favored.

MMA News / EssentiallySports / December 13

Petr Yan Receives $195500 Gift From Russian Billionaire After UFC 323 Revenge Over Merab

After Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323, the Russian received a hero’s welcome in his home country. ‘No Mercy’ found himself surrounded by cheering fans as he arrived with the newly won UFC gold belt.

MMA News / MMA Weekly / December 8

Sean O'Malley loses his mind watching Petr Yan defeat Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323

Leading up to the UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 event on Saturday, most thought then-champion Merab Dvalishvili would successfully defend the bantamweight belt in the rematch against former titleholder Petr Yan.

MMA News / Yardbarker / December 7

Potential matchups for UFC 323 main card winners

Here are some potential matchups for the winners on the main card.

Petr Yan shocks Merab Dvalishvili, reclaims bantamweight title

MMA News / Field Level Media / December 7

Petr Yan shocks Merab Dvalishvili, reclaims bantamweight title

LAS VEGAS -- Despite the steepest of odds, Petr Yan is the king of the bantamweight division once again after stunning Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision at UFC 323 on Saturday.

MMA News / Yardbarker / December 5

Predictions for the UFC 323 main card

The last pay-per-view of the year, and of the foreseeable future due to the UFC deal with Paramount, is this week and has some amazing fights. Here are predictions for how the main card of UFC 323 will go.

Merab Dvalishvili heavily featured in UFC 323 rematch with Petr Yan

MMA News / Field Level Media / December 5

Merab Dvalishvili heavily featured in UFC 323 rematch with Petr Yan

LAS VEGAS -- UFC 323, the promotion's final numbered event on the 2025 calendar, will be held in a familiar place at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday, headlined by a pair of title fights in which the champion enters as a decisive favorite against the challenger.