Petr Yan reclaimed the bantamweight title at UFC 323 by defeating Merab Dvalishvili, expressing his readiness to defend the title against any challenger.
Petr Yan is basking in his new title after UFC 323. His performance was nothing short of spectacular.
On Saturday, Yan delivered a standout display, dominating Merab Dvalishvili to seize the bantamweight title. This victory marked a stunning turnaround from their previous encounter in 2023, where Yan lost decisively.
“I’m feeling incredible,” Yan shared at the post-fight press conference. He believes he excels in rematches, attributing his success to increased intelligence and motivation.
Dvalishvili, with three title defenses under his belt, was hailed by many as the greatest bantamweight ever. Despite this, Yan remains noncommittal about an immediate rematch.
“I think Merab should just relax and reflect,” Yan suggested when asked about a trilogy fight. His tone was light, yet firm.
Yan also mentioned the fight between Merab and Umar Nurmagomedov, hinting at potential future matchups. “Who’s more dangerous?” he pondered aloud.
Tension between Yan and Dvalishvili is palpable, partly due to Yan’s past experiences. After losing his title to Aljamain Sterling and subsequent defeats, Yan had to claw his way back to contention.
“To fight for the belt again, I had to go through three more battles,” Yan explained, highlighting his arduous journey. It wasn’t an easy road.
Nevertheless, Yan is ready to defend his title against anyone the UFC chooses. He echoed Khabib Nurmagomedov’s famous line to emphasize his readiness.
“I don’t care. I flew 30 hours to get here,” Yan declared. “Put me anywhere. Just give me the location.” His determination is clear.