Petr Yan has formally hit a tough patch after his most up-to-date look at UFC Las Vegas.
As soon as a seemingly unstoppable pressure with one loss upon arrival within the UFC, Yan, 30, now finds himself determined for the style of victory. This previous weekend’s occasion headliner noticed “No Mercy” look to snap a two-fight skid in opposition to one of the best pal of his outdated rival Aljamain Sterling, Merab Dvalishvili. Sadly for Yan, he was on the receiving finish of classic “Machine” trouncing because the Georgian wrestling sensation earned 50-45 scorecards throughout the board, choosing up a unanimous resolution and ninth straight victory.
Developing quick by way of cut up resolution in his unification title rematch with Sterling in April of final 12 months, Yan initially deliberate to rebound in opposition to rising star Sean O’Malley the next October. The pair of fantastic strikers placed on a Struggle of the Night time worthy present, incomes an extra $50,000 a bit, however in the long run, it was O’Malley who handed Yan yet one more split-decision loss. After seeing this most up-to-date defeat of Yan’s, “Sugar” feels considerably guilty for the Russian’s continued descent.
“I genuinely in my coronary heart felt unhealthy for Petr,” O’Malley mentioned on the TimboSugarShow. “After, I’m like, ‘Goddamn it.’ You go from simply the scariest — Dustin Poirier saying you’re one of the best boxer, you’re on the pound-for-pound listing, you’re the baddest dude within the division, individuals are afraid of you … You then f****** illegally knee ‘Aljo.’ You then lose a detailed combat to ‘Aljo.’ You then get beat by me.
“I felt like he regarded a bit of totally different in there, however it additionally could be that’s how good Merab is. Merab might need simply made him appear like that. I simply noticed it and I’m like, rattling, I took a bit of one thing from Petr, I really feel like.”
O’Malley’s win over Yan solidified him because the No. 1-ranked contender within the promotion’s official rankings till Dvalishvili’s win, bumping him to No. 2. Since then, the rainbow-haired knockout artist claims that UFC President Dana White has knowledgeable him that he’ll be subsequent for the winner of Sterling vs. Henry Cejudo, who face off at UFC 288 on Could 6.
Whatever the trending path of Yan’s profession, O’Malley nonetheless has loads of respect for his hardest problem thus far.
“I really feel like possibly he simply, I don’t know. [49 takedown attempts from Dvalishvili], it’s insane,” O’Malley mentioned. “[Yan’s defense], additionally insane. I feel he was so — I’m gonna say embarrassed that he misplaced to me, which he shouldn’t be. I’m f****** fairly expert, however you don’t need to lose to me. I acquired f****** pink hair, I’m cute, you realize …
“He was so embarrassed that he misplaced to me that he wished that [win] again so unhealthy and the division’s booked. Rob [Font], Adrian [Yanez], like the entire division is booked out. Merab was the one one. That simply reveals you ways f****** gangster Petr is. He didn’t care, he mentioned, ‘I need Merab. I’ve to get this win again. I can’t be coming off a loss to ‘Sugar Sean.’’”
TOP STORIES
Camaraderie. Merab Dvalishvili stays unwilling to fight ‘my pal and my brother’ Aljamain Sterling, regardless of Dana White’s warning
Infamous. Stephen Thompson: Conor McGregor ‘getting back to his roots’ forward of Michael Chandler combat
Departure. Dana White’s Energy Slap will not return to TBS for Season 2
Pointless. Tom Aspinall baffled by Conor McGregor demise risk: ‘We don’t need that kind of beef’
Legend. After 17-year MMA profession, Benson Henderson blown away by how it all worked out: ‘I pictured none of this’
VIDEO STEW
The MMA Hour.
UFC 286 Embedded 1.
Edwards vs. Usman 3 preview.
Free combat.
10 Issues Edwards Can’t Reside With out
Gaethje’s Street to London.
Prelude to UFC 286.
CCC and Chael break down Usman vs. Edward 3.
Durinho’s life.
LISTEN UP
On To the Subsequent One. MMA Fighting’s Mike Heck and Alex K. Lee share their matches to make after UFC Las Vegas.
SOCIAL MEDIA BOUILLABAISSE
Kings.
This man.
Tallahassee.
Rattling.
Justin Gaethje Jr.
Are you able to guess all 5?
Respect.
Large congratulations to @BensonHenderson on his retirement! It was an honor to share the cage w you, you’re all class! Take pleasure in your retirement brother.
— Frankie Edgar (@FrankieEdgar) March 13, 2023
KillCliff.
Truthful sufficient.
Don’t inform me you made cash betting on my combat in case you aren’t goin to ship me beer cash
— Fremd (@joshfremd) March 13, 2023
Stunning.
Struggle to make?
Attention-grabbing.
Violence from Korea’s GOAT.
Golf.
Prepare.
Georges St-P-hair.
Wild within the west.
FIGHT ANNOUNCEMENTS
Nate Landwehr (16-4) vs. Austin Lingo (9-1); UFC San Antonio, March 25
Aaron Pico (10-4) vs. Otto Rodrigues (13-1); Bellator 295, April 22
Kai Kara-France (24-10, 1 NC) vs. Amir Albazi (16-1); UFC Struggle Night time, June 3
FINAL THOUGHTS
Bantamweight has gotten so bizarre since Cody Garbrandt beat Dominick Cruz (which makes me much more unhappy). Realistically, you can do O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili on the identical evening as Sterling vs. Cejudo and I don’t assume there’d be something improper with that.
Thanks for studying!
EXIT POLL
Ballot
Who wins this weekend?
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