Petr Yan has thrown an unexpected name into the mix as UFC 320 prepares to deal with its latest fight week setback. Ateba Gautier’s fight is now in jeopardy after Ozzy Diaz was forced to withdraw due to a medical issue. Dana White has previously been known to make last-minute replacements, but Yan is suggesting a solution that could bring in some outside star power.

Taking to X, the former bantamweight champion suggested his friend Ilyas Khamzin as a suitable short-notice substitute. “My friend Ilyas Khamzin is in Vegas and ready to step in for this one too 👊🏼,” Petr Yan added, raising interest among fans who may not be familiar with the Russian striker. It’s not often that a fighter from outside the UFC is mentioned during fight week, but Khamzin’s presence in Las Vegas elevates the idea to more than just fantasy matchmaking.

Who is Petr Yan’s friend Ilyas Khamzin?

Khamzin isn’t currently signed with the the Dana White-led promotion, but his resume carries weight. Competing under the Karate Combat banner, the 14-4-0 fighter made waves with a nasty knockout win over former UFC veteran Dwight Grant, a performance that immediately drew the attention of MMA purists.

Known for his knockout power and aggressive approach, the Russian welterweight has quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous stand-up fighters outside of the UFC. For followers of Eurasian MMA, his name has been floating just beneath the mainstream surface for some time.

Yan’s endorsement just adds to the discussion. The ex-champion is not one to hand out compliments ligke hot cakes, and by backing Khamzin publicly, he’s effectively putting Dana White on the spot. A move like this would not only save Ateba Gautier’s fight but would also allow the UFC to test-drive a fighter who has previously shown success in high-level striking combat.

Khamzin, meanwhile, would be given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a swift leap from the pit of Karate Combat to the bright lights of the Octagon. It remains to be seen whether the UFC will accept Petr Yan’s suggestion, but the timing couldn’t have been better.

Gautier is still looking for an opponent, the card is about to lose one of its most enticing preliminary fights, and a fighter with a highlight-reel resume happens to be in town. If the promotion is searching for a story that combines risk, opportunity, and spectacle, Yan may have just handed them one. But what about Yan? When is he marking his return to the Octagon?

‘No Mercy’ to only fight for the UFC’s bantamweight title

Yan’s public support for Khamzin shows his eye for talent, but when it comes to his own career, the Russian striker is far more picky. While Ateba Gautier awaits clarification, Yan has made it very obvious that his days of fighting for the sake of staying active have ended. For him, the only fight worth signing is one in which the bantamweight championship is on the line.

That stance stems straight from his camp at Archangel Mikhail Gym, where Yan explained why he refuses to compromise. “At this moment, I do not plan to fight anyone else,” he explained. “Looking at our roster, I don’t think there is anyone more deserving of being next in line for a title shot than me,” he further added.

It’s the type of self-assurance that Petr Yan fans have witnessed during his title reign: unyielding, direct, and rooted in a conviction that he belongs at the very top. The timing of his demand is razor sharp. Yan is establishing himself as the inevitable next challenger for Merab Dvalishvili’s bantamweight belt, which he will defend against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320.

With his July victory over Marcus McGhee fresh in his mind and his résumé already stacked, he is unwilling to risk his spot in line for a contest that does not carry gold. For Yan, the future isn’t about staying busy; it’s about staying prepared — ready for the belt, nothing less.