Russian UFC star set to face Georgian rival
Petr Yan will look to get back to winning ways in the UFC when he takes on Georgian rival Merab Dvalishvili in a main event fight in March Read Full Article at RT.com
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Former champion Petr Yan has been defeated in his past two UFC bouts
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan will look to re-establish his title credentials at 135lbs when he faces Georgia’s Merab Dvalishvili in a five-round fight which will headline the organization’s Las Vegas card on March 11.
Yan, previously a titleholder in Russia’s ACB promotion (now known as ACA), made significant waves upon entering the UFC in 2018, winning seven straight fights – the last of which was a TKO victory over mixed martial arts legend Jose Aldo to claim the then-vacant bantamweight crown.
His first title defense, though, did not go to plan when he was disqualified in the fourth round of a fight with Aljamain Sterling when the American fighter was unable to continue after Yan landed an illegal knee strike to Sterling’s head.
Yan rebounded with a victory against the technically outstanding Cory Sandhagen, only to lose a close decision to Sterling in their rematch in April of last year.
Aljamain Sterling and Merab Dvalishvili had a little exchange with Petr Yan backstage last night following the ceremonial weigh-ins.