UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan underwent main surgical procedure in current days and could possibly be sidelined for a number of months.
Petr Yan pulled off one of many greatest upsets within the UFC of 2025, dethroning Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. In a rematch that has been years within the making, Yan defeated Dvalishvili by unanimous determination, reclaiming the UFC bantamweight title and ending Dvalishvili’s lengthy profitable streak.
Following Yan’s victory, a possible rematch with Sean O’Malley was raised because the newly topped bantamweight champion’s first title protection. A trilogy with Dvalishvili can also be on the playing cards, and the previous titleholder not too long ago hinted that he’s open to a different problem with Yan.
If Dvalishvili and O’Malley each maintain out for the title, they might have to attend a very long time earlier than the beginning of 2026 after Yan suffers a severe harm.
Petr Yan hits main roadblock to return to UFC as title negotiations intensify
Websites shared by Jan Instagram On Wednesday, he introduced that he underwent 9 hours of surgical procedure on his decrease again to appropriate an undisclosed drawback. As of this writing, Yan’s surgical procedure was profitable, however it’s nonetheless unclear when the UFC champion can be medically match to return.
Yan hinted that he would wait “a couple of months” to get well from the surgical procedure earlier than reserving his return to the Octagon. Nevertheless, the brand new champions are optimistic they will arrange their subsequent combat by mid-summer.
Yan is the newest present UFC champion to endure a serious setback away from the Octagon. UFC ladies’s bantamweight champion Kayla Harrison withdrew from her scheduled combat at UFC 324 final weekend resulting from a neck harm, however her return schedule stays unsure.
Yan’s surgical procedure will permit the likes of Dvalishvili and O’Malley to stake their declare for the following title. We should always know extra in regards to the UFC’s subsequent transfer within the bantamweight division within the coming weeks.
Who ought to Petr Yan combat subsequent for his first bantamweight title protection? Tell us within the feedback!
