Petr Yan gets shine from UFC.
A new tribute video posted on the promotion’s YouTube channel bills the reigning bantamweight titleholder as “UFC’s greatest boxer,” featuring performances against Teruto Ishihara, Jose Aldo and Urijah Faber, among others.
“No Mercy” is just days away from defending his 135-pound belt rubber match against longtime rival Merab Dvalishviliwho many believe is the greatest wrestler in the promotion. After all, “The Machine” is the only fighter in UFC history to achieve 100 takedowns.
As for striking records, most of which are dominated by former featherweight champion Max Holloway, Yan (20-5) doesn’t even crack the Top 10, but he leads the 135-pound weight class in significant landings and sits at No. 2 behind Dvalishvili in total.
What makes a fighter a good boxer? That’s debatable, but it’s worth noting that Yan, 33, hasn’t stopped fighting in more than six years.
“I can’t really be upset (with Merab’s pressure) because it’s part of his game plan,” Yan said. Paramount+. “Every MMA fighter has a game plan. That’s him. To push forward, to apply pressure. But as we know, diamonds are made under pressure. So we find out who we really are when that pressure keeps coming at you and see if you’re that diamond. Everyone knows how to swim, but not everyone is ready to go too far from shore.”