Forget about me? Petr Yan’s sharp boxing skills and all-round arsenal proved the talk of the town as the former champ produced precisely the display many critics forecasted would see him reign the UFC’s bantamweight division for many years, deftly outpointing an inspiring Deiveson Figueiredo effort over five rounds with 12,615 watching in the promotion’s first return to China since 2019.
Yan makes his mark in fiery Figueiredo five-rounder
50-45, 50-45, 50-45: Petr Yan [3] bt. Deiveson Figueiredo [5] via unanimous decision, goes 2-0 in 2024 and stays in bantamweight title picture
QUESTIONS surrounded Petr Yan as he rode a three-fight losing streak into 2024, once seen as a potential long-reigning champion at 135lbs, now this Russian – still only 31 – was viewed as an afterthought after dropping split decisions vs. Aljamain Sterling, Sean O’Malley and being mauled by now-titleholder Merab Dvalishvili.
11 months separated those three decision defeats, yet No Mercy knew something had to change heading into this year and he’s pitched a much-needed comeback season against two elite-level competitors in the ever-improving Song Yadong and now former two-time flyweight king Deiveson Figueiredo, both far from easy tests.
After being grounded by a savvy inside trip takedown early in round one here, the former titlist’s defensive wrestling and boxing came to the fore against a decorated champion from the weight division below, one unable to match the sharpness nor attacking versatility as they headed into the championship rounds.
Significant strike totals by round
R1: 6-1, 42-of-42 total strikes
R2: 32-10 (65% to 33%)
R3: 21-13 (58% to 52%)
R4: 25-14 (62% to 46%)
R5: 37-15 (59% to 45%)
Yan outstruck Figueiredo 190-53 over 25 minutes, had 21 seconds more control time (3:21) and a R1 takedown reversal. Figueiredo has never been beaten comprehensively like this before, even in his two defeats to Moreno during their tetralogy.
Besides one flash knockdown (not officially scored as such) late in the fourth, where he recovered well and composed himself just as quickly, Yan didn’t just outstrike the Brazilian across all rounds but was more accurate too. Uppercuts, body kicks, flying knees, spinning backfists, Yan’s pressure didn’t wane against a game adversary.
Considering how quickly everyone slotted Figueiredo into the conversation at 135lbs, it should be no surprise the former champion believes he can find himself back in the championship picture before long in the new year. Comments like these from his former foe (and others) further reinforce that, so long as he’s consistent:
Rest of the card’s results
Main card
Women’s strawweight: Yan Xiaonan [2] bt. Tabatha Ricci [10] via UD3 (30-27 x 3)
Welterweight: Muslim Salikhov bt. Song Kenan via R1 KO (spinning wheel kick)
Women’s Flyweight: Gabriella Fernandes bt. Wang Cong via R2 submission (rear-naked choke)
Light-heavyweight: Carlos Ulberg [10] bt. Volkan Oezdemir [8] via UD3 (30-27 x 2, 29-28)
Light-heavy: Zhang Mingyang bt. Ozzy Diaz via R1 TKO (elbow, punches)
Prelims
Road to the UFC S3 Bantamweight Tournament Final: You Su-young bt. Baergeng Jieleyisi via UD3 (30-27 x 2, 29-28)
S3 Flyweight Final: Choi Dong-hun bt. Kiru Singh Sahota via R1 KO (punches)
S3 Women’s Strawweight Final: Shi Ming bt. Feng Xiaocan via R3 KO (head kick)
Flyweight: Carlos Hernandez bt. Nyamjargal Tumendemberel via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Flyweight: Lone’er Kavanagh bt. Jose Ochoa via UD3 (30-27, 29-28 x 2)
Bantam: Xiao Long bt. Quang Le via R3 KO (punch)
Lightweight: Nikolas Motta bt. Maheshate Hayisaer via UD3 (30-27 x 3)
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes sourced and stats via UFC
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