Petr Yan is just not curious about working issues again with Sean O’Malley.
On Saturday, Yan picked up a unanimous determination win over Deiveson Figueiredo in the primary occasion of UFC Macau. It was a hard-fought battle for the previous bantamweight champion as Figueiredo even dropped him within the fourth spherical, which Yan admitted had him in actual bother.
“When he landed the smackdown along with his punch, I assumed, ‘It’s not New Yr’s yr however fireworks already began,’” Yan advised reporters at his post-fight press conference. “Possibly I used to be misplaced for a bit of second however then I recovered fairly quick and knew what was occurring. It’s a troublesome sport, you may land powerful punches. Something can occur so you need to be prepared. You may be damaged or you may preserve going.
“Right here within the UFC, there are not any simple opponents. Everybody is hard and onerous, so you may’t chill out any second. All people can shock you. Even final second of our battle, something can occur. We’ve seen a variety of examples in MMA and boxing.”
Yan overcame the moments of bother and finally took a clear sweep of 50-45s on all three judges scorecards.
The win is now Yan’s second in a row and afterwards fan sentiment instantly turned towards a potential rematch with fellow former champion Sean O’Malley. “Suga” received a controversial break up determination over Yan at UFC 280 to earn his personal title shot, and now that O’Malley dropped the title to Merab Dvalishvili, followers have been hoping the 2 former champions will run issues again. However Yan isn’t all that curious about that proper now.
“I don’t know who I’m going to battle subsequent,” Yan stated when requested about an O’Malley rematch. “I didn’t resolve but. It’s extra a query to the UFC matchmakers. I’ll battle anyone.
“I already beat each Sean O’Malley and Sandhagen,” he added. “I already beat them.”
As a substitute, Yan has his sights set on a distinct rematch: one with the present bantamweight champion. Yan and Dvalishvili confronted off in March of 2023 with Dvalishvili profitable a dominant determination victory. Now with two wins underneath his belt since then, Yan hopes he’s near incomes a second crack on the champion.
“Merab, let’s do it once more,” Yan stated. “I’m prepared to speak about rematch and I consider it’s going to be a really thrilling battle.”
“It’s my second win in a row,” Yan added later. “I beat actually prime opponents who had been on profitable streaks too. So step-by-step we’re getting there. We’re going to get this rematch and this title battle.”
Although nothing is confirmed but, it’s anticipated that Dvalishvili will defend his bantamweight title towards Umar Nurmagomedov someday subsequent yr. Nevertheless, Yan does appear to be making some headway as shortly after UFC Macau, Dvalishvili answered his name out, suggesting a battle at UFC 313 on March 8.
