Petr Yan Dismisses Sean O’Malley Rematch

Petr Yan is laser-focused on reclaiming the UFC Bantamweight Championship—and he’s not looking back at Sean O’Malley.

Following a dominant unanimous decision victory over Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau, the former champ has set his sights on a bigger prize: a rematch with current champion Merab Dvalishvili.

Yan faced serious adversity in the fourth round when Figueiredo landed a powerful shot that left him momentarily stunned. “When he landed the smackdown with his punch, I thought, ‘It’s not New Year’s yet, but fireworks already started,’” Yan joked during his post-fight press conference. Despite the scare, Yan recovered and cruised to a clean sweep on the judges’ scorecards with a trio of 50-45s.

Now riding a two-fight win streak, Yan is turning the page on past opponents like Sean O’Malley, who controversially defeated him at UFC 280 via split decision. While fans are clamoring for a rematch, Yan isn’t interested. “I already beat both Sean O’Malley and Sandhagen,” Yan stated bluntly. “I already beat them.”

Instead, Yan is calling out Dvalishvili, who handed him a decisive loss in March 2023. “Merab, let’s do it again,” Yan said confidently. “I’m ready to talk about a rematch, and I believe it’s going to be a very exciting fight.”

The timing might just work out for Yan. After UFC Macau, Dvalishvili took to social media and suggested a showdown at UFC 313 on March 8, 2025. While Dvalishvili is rumored to defend his title against Umar Nurmagomedov next year, Yan’s impressive performances against top-tier opponents could fast-track him back into the title picture.

What’s Next for Yan? “I beat really top opponents who were on winning streaks too. Step by step, we’re getting there. We’re going to get this rematch and this title fight,” Yan promised.

Yan’s fiery determination and elite skillset make him a must-watch contender as he climbs his way back to the top. But can he avenge his loss to Dvalishvili and reclaim his championship glory?

Do you think Petr Yan deserves a rematch with Merab Dvalishvili? Or should he run it back with Sean O’Malley first? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below—we’d love to hear your take on this brewing drama!