Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan remains to be lifeless set on reclaiming his spot on the prime of the division, and after dominantly choosing aside Deiveson Figueiredo in the primary occasion of UFC Struggle Evening 248, he could be the subsequent man in line for a title shot. To say the Russian’s efficiency in Macau was a masterclass can be an understatement. Virtually from the phrase go, Yan lived as much as his nickname, “No Mercy,” outclassing the streaking Figueiredo virtually in all places the battle went.
Previous to 2024, Yan was in a really precarious spot in his UFC profession. After dropping his 135-lb. strap to bitter rival Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259 in 2021, he noticed himself go 1-3 over the course of his subsequent 4 fights. Whereas Yan did defeat Cory Sandhagen to grab the interim title, he in the end got here up quick to Sterling once more within the rematch by cut up choice. He then would drop two extra choice losses to future bantamweight kings Sean O’Malley and Merab Dvalishvili.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 30: (R-L) Petr Yan of Russia punches Cory Sandhagen within the UFC interim bantamweight championship battle in the course of the UFC 267 occasion at Etihad Area on October 30, 2021 in Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photograph by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
A Return To Victory Lane for “No Mercy” and a Problem From “Deus Da Guerra”
This 12 months, nevertheless, Yan lastly acquired himself again within the win column by turning away Chinese language MMA contender Music Yadong at UFC 299, decimating the youthful fighter with a wonderful show of kickboxing and takedown protection to notch a convincing unanimous choice win.
Following a majorly profitable stint within the flyweight division, the place he reigned because the division’s champion on two separate events, Figueiredo took an opportunity and moved as much as 135 lbs. in late 2023. This opportunity labored wonders for “Deus Da Guerra,” as a result of, regardless of being small for his new weight class, he ended up pulling off a three-fight win streak in lower than a 12 months. Going into his bout with Yan final Saturday, the Brazilian had etched notable victories over Rob Font, Cody Garbrandt, and Marlon Vera.
AUSTIN, TEXAS – DECEMBER 02: (R-L) Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazil punches Rob Font in a bantamweight battle in the course of the UFC Struggle Evening occasion at Moody Middle on December 02, 2023 in Austin, Texas. (Photograph by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC through Getty Photographs)
Yan Bests Figuereido in Macau
Though each males had a bevy of UFC championship expertise between them, Yan appeared far and away the superior combatant, utilizing his high-level kickboxing to maintain Figueiredo at a distance whereas denying most of his takedowns. Each time the competition did make its strategy to the bottom, the Russian was swift in reversing his place to take management on prime. Attaining excellent 50-45 scorecards throughout the board, the match shall be remembered as a landslide victory for Yan.
That wasn’t to say Figueiredo didn’t have his moments all through the five-round affair, as he did handle to stun Yan just a few occasions within the later rounds, even dropping him within the later moments of the fourth spherical. He additionally demonstrated having a really robust chin, having absorbed over 190 of “No Mercy”’s strikes and by no means showing to be overly rocked.
MACAU, CHINA – NOVEMBER 23: (L-R) Petr Yan of Russia punches Deiveson Figueiredo of Brazilin their bantamweight battle in the course of the UFC Struggle Evening occasion at Galaxy Area on November 23, 2024 in Macau, China. (Photograph by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC)
Who’s Up Subsequent For Yan?
The battle will go down as top-of-the-line the bantamweight division has placed on all 12 months; an instantaneous basic. Utilizing the momentum of his success in China, Yan may very well be on the very quick listing of people who may very well be combating for the 135-lb. strap in early 2025. Contemplating he already has a historical past with present champion Merab Dvalishvili (who has lately referred to as for a rematch with the Russian), that’s one loss that Yan will certainly wish to avenge.
