Today, after the UFC’s return to China for the first time in a decade, ranked #3 bantamweight contender Petr Yan fought on his ancestral land at UFC Macau, reigniting his hopes for a title shot by defeating former two-time flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo in a brutal five-round battle. However, before Yan can face the division leader, Merab Dvalishvili, he was asked in a post-fight interview whether he wanted to settle his debt with Sean O’Malley and Cory Sandhagen.

Petr Yan shut down the claims of his previous defeat, saying, “I will fight anybody… I already beat both Sean O’Malley and Cory Sandhagen.” O’Malley defeated Yan by unanimous decision in their three-round battle at UFC 280 two years ago, and since then, it has remained a blemish on Yan’s record. On the other hand, Petr Yan defeated Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267 three years ago.

Petr Yan’s journey in Dana White’s multibillion-dollar promotion has been a force to be reckoned with since he started in the UFC, beginning with a seven-win streak that culminated in a title victory against Jose Aldo for the vacant bantamweight belt. However, his momentum was halted in his next fight when he was disqualified in the fourth round against Aljamain Sterling, leading to a series of subsequent challenges. Despite these setbacks, Yan demonstrated remarkable resilience, managing to bounce back, a quality that has not gone unnoticed by Dana White.

Throwback: Dana White’s Honest Verdict on Petr Yan

Today, Petr Yan silenced his critics by delivering a dominant performance, reminding everyone of the fighter he once was. He exhibited the same intensity and skill that made an impact during his UFC debut six years ago, finishing Deiveson Figueiredo in a commanding fashion. This performance lived up to his “No Mercy” moniker, earning recognition even from Dana White, despite the knockout victories that had previously gone unnoticed.

Yan’s win over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267 three years ago also remains a highlight, with the two fighters going toe-to-toe for all five rounds in an intense battle. The fight earned Yan a “Fight of the Night” bonus, showcasing his relentless style and ability to push through tough competition.

Dana White praised Yan’s performance, stating, “It was unbelievable. The fight was awesome. Sandhagen was staying on the outside and using his distance. The counter-punching by both of those guys, the body punching by both of those guys, the kicks to the body — those two went to absolute war tonight. Petr Yan is a savage. This guy is unbelievable.”

What’s your take on Petr Yan’s recent comments? Despite the fact that Sean O’Malley defeated him in their fight, why did Yan assert that he had already beaten O’Malley? Is this a display of overconfidence? Only time will tell if his confidence becomes a stumbling block in his pursuit of the division title.

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