Petr Yan Eyes UFC White House Event, Aims for Moscow Showdown

UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan is actively seeking to compete at the historic UFC White House event and is already looking beyond, with aspirations of headlining a fight card in Moscow’s Red Square. The former champion recently recovered from back surgery and is eager to return to the Octagon.

Yan Calls for Disregard of Political Barriers

Despite reports suggesting a ban on Russian fighters for the UFC White House event, Yan has urged the promotion to prioritize sportsmanship and international goodwill. “I haven’t heard a definite regarding UFC fighters, but the UFC is a huge international organization with fighters from all over the world,” Yan stated on the Ariel Helwani display. “I reckon that, if anything, this would be an incredible gesture of goodwill, to show that sports, after all, are outside of politics.” He envisions competing at the White House as a stepping stone to a major event in Russia, stating, “The goal is, first, we seize the White House. Then we’ll do a huge event in the Red Square.”

Potential Opponents and Title Defense Plans

Former UFC champion Sean O’Malley has expressed interest in a fight against Yan. But, Merab Dvalishvili, whom Yan defeated to reclaim the bantamweight title in December 2025, has been promised the next title shot upon his return. Dvalishvili indicated that the UFC has assured him of a title fight once he is fully recovered.

Should his participation in the White House event fall through, Yan has expressed a desire to defend his title in either July or August of 2026.

Recent History: Yan’s Road to the Title

Petr Yan secured his second UFC bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Merab Dvalishvili on December 6, 2025, at UFC 323 in Las Vegas ESPN. This win avenged a previous unanimous decision loss to Dvalishvili in March 2023. Prior to regaining the title, Yan had been on a four-fight winning streak ESPN.

The rematch saw Yan successfully defend against Dvalishvili’s relentless takedown attempts, controlling the pace for five rounds ESPN.