Yan was born to a father of mixed Chinese (paternal) and Georgian-Russian (maternal) descent and a Russian mother.[8][9][10] In sixth grade, Yan began training in ITF taekwondo and often fought in the streets and at the school in his area, so his family often moved to try and prevent this. Yan's older brother trained in boxing in the city of Dudinka, Krasnoyarsk Krai, and Petr wanted to learn how to box too. But his elder brother initially refused to take Petr along with him, so Petr decided to sneak and follow his brother to go to learn the sport. From then on, Petr went on to train in boxing for 8 years and achieved the rank of Master of Sport in boxing in the 64 kg weight category.[4] Yan graduated from the Siberian Federal University in the city of Omsk with a degree in Physical Culture and Sport.[4]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Yan debuted in MMA at the Eurasian Fighting Championship - Baikal Fight in December 2014. He won via third-round knockout over Murad Bakiev, who was also a debutant. In 2015, Yan signed a contract with the Russian promotion Absolute Championship Berkut. He was said to have gained many fans after his debut with the promotion where he fought Brazilian fighter Renato Velame, who at the time, already had 26 fights in his MMA career. However, Yan won this fight by decision. In Yan's third fight, he fought and beat Kharon Orzumiev by first-round submission in just 47 seconds. In his following fight, Yan knocked out Artur Mirzakhanyan in the first round which was held at Professional Fight Night 10: Russia Cup.[4]
Absolute Championship Berkut
On 24 October 2015, Yan faced Murad Kalamov and won the fight by unanimous decision. The win granted Yan the opportunity to fight Magomed Magomedov for the championship belt in the bantamweight division.[4]
Yan lost his first fight when he faced Magomed Magomedov on 26 March 2016 in Moscow at ACB 32: "The Battle of Lions". After going all five rounds, Magomedov won the fight by split decision and won the title at bantamweight; however, many felt that Yan had won the fight, including ACB president, Mairbek Khasiev who promised to book a rematch. Although Yan lost, this fight was voted as ACB's best fight of the year in 2016.[11]
Following his first professional loss, Yan returned to face English mixed martial artist Ed Arthur at ACB 41: Path to Triumph, in Sochi. He won the fight by unanimous decision.[12]
In the spring of 2017, Yan was scheduled to have a rematch with Magomed Magomedov on 15 April at ACB 57: Payback in Moscow. This time, Yan exacted revenge and defeated Magomedov by unanimous decision after fighting all five hard-fought rounds. He won the decision and ultimately was crowned the ACB bantamweight champion.[13]
Following his win, Yan returned in September 2017 to fight Brazilian contender Matheus Mattos at ACB: 71 in Moscow. After winning the first two rounds, Yan caught Mattos with a left uppercut which caused Mattos to fall to his back, making the referee stop the fight. He successfully defended his bantamweight title by third-round knockout.[14]
Yan was briefly scheduled to face top-14 UFC rankings Douglas Silva de Andrade on 15 September 2018 at the UFC Fight Night 136.[18] However, Andrade pulled out of the fight on 9 August citing a foot injury,[19] and he was replaced by Jin Soo Son.[20] At weigh-ins, Son weighed one pound over the bantamweight non-title fight limit of 136 pounds and he was fined 20 percent of his purse to Yan.[21] Yan won the fight by unanimous decision.[22] This win earned him the Fight of the Night award.[23]
A bantamweight bout was rescheduled between Yan and Douglas Silva de Andrade for UFC 232 on 29 December 2018.[24] He won the fight via technical knockout in round two after de Andrade's corner stopped the fight.[25]
On 10 January 2019, Yan revealed on social media that he had signed a new, four-fight contract with the UFC.[26] Yan faced John Dodson on 23 February 2019 at UFC Fight Night 145.[27] Yan won the fight by unanimous decision, after landing hard punches and kicks whilst Dodson's back was against the cage.[28][29]
Despite his previous, few months old contract, Yan signed a new six-fight contract which was offered to him immediately after his win against Dodson.[30]
On 26 June, it was reported that Yan had to undergo surgery due to synovitis in his left elbow.[33]
Yan faced Urijah Faber on 14 December 2019 at UFC 245.[34] After largely dominating the striking exchanges and knocking Faber down in the second round, Yan ultimately won the fight via knockout in the third round.[35][36] This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.[37]
After the fight with Faber, Yan was critical of bantamweight champion, Henry Cejudo, stating that he is being ducked by Cejudo. "I think it's pretty obvious he is ducking me and doing everything he can to avoid fighting me. All this talk about him wanting a bigger name is bullshit, he just wants easier fight for himself."[38]
Yan was expected to make his first title defense against Aljamain Sterling on 12 December 2020 at UFC 256.[41] However, it was announced on 22 November that the bout was cancelled from the UFC 256 card[42] and the bout was rescheduled on 6 March 2021 at UFC 259.[43] Yan lost the fight by disqualification in the fourth round due to an illegal knee, losing the UFC Bantamweight Championship.[44] Two judges had Yan up 29–28 and one had Sterling up 29–28 before the illegal knee.[45]
A rematch with Sterling was expected to take place on 30 October 2021 at UFC 267.[46] However, on 25 September, Sterling withdrew from the contest due to lingering neck issues.[47]Cory Sandhagen stepped in as replacement with the bout being for the interim UFC Bantamweight Championship.[48] Yan won the bout via unanimous decision.[49] This bout earned the Fight of the Night award.[50]
A title unification rematch with Aljamain Sterling was scheduled to take place on 5 March 2022 at UFC 272.[51] However, on 11 January 2022, it was announced that the bout was pushed back to UFC 273 on 9 April.[52] Yan lost the bout via a split decision.[53] The fight also earned him third place in the "Fan Bonus of the Night" award.[54]
Post-championship fights
Yan faced Sean O'Malley on 22 October 2022 at UFC 280.[55] He lost the bout via split decision.[56] The decision was seen as highly controversial with many fans and fighters adamantly expressing their belief that Yan was the rightful winner. 25 out of 26 media outlets scored the bout in favor of Yan.[57] The bout received the Fight of the Night bonus.[58] However, the editors of Sherdog website gave this fight "2022 Robbery of the Year Award".[59]
Yan was scheduled to headline UFC Fight Night 233 against Song Yadong on 9 December 2023.[62] However, Yan withdrew from the bout citing an injury and was replaced by Chris Gutiérrez, whom Song would defeat.[63][64] A bout with Song was rebooked for 9 March 2024, at UFC 299.[65] A month prior to the event, Yan suffered a groin muscle injury,[66] and in the first round of the fight, Yan tore his ACL and meniscus, requiring a change of strategy.[67][68] Despite the injuries, Yan won the bout by unanimous decision.[69]
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