Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan is planning to make a comeback in 2024, and he’ll have at least one willing opponent awaiting him.
Petr Yan hasn’t been in action since the UFC Las Vegas card this past March, where he was soundly beaten by Merab Dvalishvili. The result only added to the woes of the Russian, who had previously suffered a narrow decision loss to Sean O’Malley in Abu Dhabi.
Having also dropped two defeats to Aljamain Sterling in recent years, the first of which saw him lose the 135-pound title via disqualification, Petr Yan is now 1-4 in five fights since his crowning against José Aldo back in 2020.
But despite the difficult period, “No Mercy” is planning to return with a bang in 2024. On X/Twitter, the ex-champ recently named the UFC 299 card in March as a suitable comeback date.
And whether then or further down the line, one high-ranked bantamweight has put his hand up for the assignment.
Song Yadong Sees Petr Yan Fight As Path To The Title
During a recent interview with James Lynch for Fanatics View, #7-ranked UFC bantamweight contender Song Yadong set his sights on a collision with former champ Petr Yan next year.
The Chinese star is set to be back in action next month, facing #14-ranked Chris Gutiérrez at the Apex in Las Vegas on December 9. With a victory in the main event, Song will be riding a two-fight winning run against top 15 bantamweights.
From there, “The Kung Fu Kid” will have eyes only up the ladder, and they’ll be specifically on the step that currently holds his originally expected next opponent, Yan.
“Yes, after this fight, I still wanna fight Petr,” Song said. “I want to know whose boxing is better, you know, in bantamweight. I wanna fight him… I think I just need two more (for the title). Next fight, Petr, and one more, then I will get the title shot.”
Song and Yan were originally expected to headline the Dec. 9 card in Shanghai, the biggest city in the former’s home country. But plan changes have not only seen the Chinese standout lose a home fight, but also his expected high-profile opponent.
Nevertheless, the 25-year-old remains motivated to repeat the impressive showing he put on this past April, when he knocked out Ricky Simón.
Should he achieve that feat, perhaps a battle of elite boxing will await him in 2024.