Petr Yan
Active 2018–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 92.0
Scouting report
Petr "No Mercy" Yan captured the undisputed UFC Bantamweight Championship with a fifth-round finish of Jose Aldo before claiming an interim title against Cory Sandhagen. Hailing from Dudinka in Siberia, Russia, and training at Tiger Muay Thai, Yan breaks opponents down with switch-hitting boxing and trip takedowns. His striking precision and motor are reflected in a 95 Boxing and 92 Cardio, securing a 92 Overall rating.
Peak ratings
By edition
Yan won six consecutive bouts between 2018 and 2019, with victories over Teruto Ishihara, Jin Soo Son, Douglas Silva de Andrade, John Dodson, Jimmie Rivera, and a head-kick knockout of Urijah Faber at UFC 245 in Las Vegas. His boxing fundamentals, high guard, stance switching, and pace are reflected in a 94 Boxing and 92 Cardio.
In July 2020 at UFC 251 on Fight Island, Yan captured the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship with a fifth-round TKO of Jose Aldo. After losing the belt via disqualification to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259, he defeated Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267 in Abu Dhabi to claim the interim title. His boxing combinations and tactical adjustments justify a 95 Boxing and 92 Fight IQ.
Yan lost close split decisions to Aljamain Sterling and Sean O'Malley, and a decision to Merab Dvalishvili, before rebounding in March 2024 at UFC 299 with a striking win over Song Yadong in Miami. His striking defense, takedown defense, and boxing pressure anchor his 95 Boxing and 92 Cardio score over fifteen minutes of striking action.
Overall is an editorial rating. It can differ from a simple average of the attributes.
Petr Yan, the Master of Sport boxer who won the belt twice
Petr Yan trained boxing for eight years and earned the rank of Master of Sport at 64 kilograms. He began MMA in 2014, became the ACB bantamweight champion in 2017, and moved to the top promotion in 2018. He won the bantamweight belt against Jose Aldo in 2020 and won it back from Merab Dvalishvili in December 2025.
Yan, what the numbers reflect
Boxing. The highest number on the card. He knocked down Urijah Faber in 2019 and finished him in the third round.
Kickboxing. Excellent. He uses kicks, knees, elbows and clinch strikes on top of his boxing.
Wrestling. Very good. His takedown defense has been strong, and he uses trips and throws from the clinch.
BJJ. Modest. He is not a submission hunter and holds a blue belt.
Strength. The lowest number on the card. His edge comes from technique more than raw power.
Durability. Very good. He fought through a torn ACL and meniscus in the first round against Song Yadong in 2024 and still won a decision.
Cardio. Excellent. He stopped Aldo in round five in 2020 and went five with Cory Sandhagen in 2021.
Fight IQ. High. He uses small steps, stance changes and hand fighting to cut off the cage.
Boxing at 95 puts him at the top of the division
His boxing rating is the best in this batch. It matches a record that includes huge striking volume in the division and a stoppage of Jose Aldo in round five. The Sean O'Malley loss in 2022 is the fight most people point to, as 25 of 26 media outlets scored it for Yan.
Strength is his lowest rating
At 78, strength is where the card is weakest. Aljamain Sterling beat him by split decision in 2022 after he lost the belt by an illegal knee disqualification in 2021, and Merab Dvalishvili won a unanimous decision in 2023. Yan avenged that one in December 2025 by decision. Strength is the one place his game is not backed by a better number.
Keep exploring
Closest bantamweight profiles to Petr Yan, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- TJ Dillashawbest cardio 94 · weakest strength 76
- Jose Aldobest fight iq 94 · weakest strength 77
- Cory Sandhagenbest kickboxing 92 · weakest strength 74
- Dominick Cruzbest fight iq 98 · weakest strength 74
- Bantamweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Petr Yan's strongest attribute, Boxing.
Draft Petr Yan into your build
Petr Yan enters the pool on any spin landing on bantamweight between 2018 and present. Spin, draft eight attributes, then simulate 25 fights.
Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Petr Yan is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Petr Yan's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.