When you create a list of the best UFC bantamweights of all time, it is impossible to keep Petr Yan out of it. The UFC star has been impressing MMA fans for years now. However, his last few fights have not gone his way. Now at UFC 299, the Russian-native is aiming to get back to winning ways after back-to-back defeats.

Yan is also one of the most dominating fighters in the bantamweight division. His excellence in combat sport comes from years of training, his education in sports, and his former job as a bouncer. His whole life has pretty much revolved around fighting. In fact, while growing up, Yan was frequently involved in street fights as well as fights at school. He seemed to enjoy fighting. To help young Petr Yan deal with his aggressiveness and rage, his parents thought that training in Taekwondo would provide him with an outlet. This was where combat sports first came into his life. He successfully made a career of what he could do best, that is, fight.

His aggressive demeanor, yet cool and calculative fighting style, helped him claim the bantamweight title at UFC 251. After winning the belt by knocking out the legendary Jose Aldo, he went on to fight Aljamain Sterling. Unfortunately, Yan was disqualified due to landing an illegal knee on ‘Funk Master’. Because of this, he lost his hard-earned title.

Petr Yan’s nationality and ethnicity

Yan is a Russian and was born in Dudinka, Krasonyarsk Krai, Russia. It is interesting to know that Yan’s paternal grandfather was Chinese and his paternal grandmother was Russian. So, his father was half Chinese. Thus, Petr Yan has partly Chinese roots and has a mixed ethnic background.

Petr Yan is pronounced as ‘Peo-ter Yan’. His first name is a typical Russian name, whereas his last name has Chinese origins. Yan lives in Russia but frequently travels to Phuket, Thailand to train. He generally trains at Tiger Muay Thai gym.

Trending

Israel Adesanya Responds After Shaquille O’Neal Brands Two-Time Champ “Greatest Athletes Ever” Along With Jon Jones and Kamaru Usman

April 27, 2024 07:23 AM EDT

Michael Chandler Handed Sad Update on Conor McGregor Fight at UFC 303 – “He’s Not Going to Get Pay-Per-View Points”

April 24, 2024 07:47 PM EDT

“A MF Grabs Me” – Shaquille O’Neal Almost Came to Blows With UFC Star During Camp in Hawaii, NBA Legend Reveals Untold Story

April 25, 2024 08:24 PM EDT

UFC 304 Manchester Card’s Disappointing News Leaves Pros & Fans Upset Over Rumored Tom Aspinall, Leon Edwards’ Event

April 24, 2024 09:20 PM EDT

Khabib Nurmagomedov Hints a Comeback for Islam Makhachev vs. Dustin Poirier at UFC 302; LW Champ Drops 5 Word Response

April 27, 2024 08:07 AM EDT

Get instantly notified of the hottest UFC stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

Petr Yan speaks Russian. He speaks very little English and often requires a translator during interviews. However, he is working on it and his English has been improving. His English language skills are something that other fighters have made fun of. But Yan has always effectively responded with humorous comebacks.

Yan’s immense dedication to the sport and his innate talent are aspects that heavily contribute to his success as a fighter. They also help him build a loyal fanbase. Perhaps this is how he quickly became a sensational UFC fighter. His fights are exciting, unpredictable, and aggressive; everything that UFC and MMA fans long to see.

Watch this story: Five Lesser-Known Facts About Paulo Costa