Upcoming Challenge for Petr Yan: A Shift in UFC Bantamweight Matchmaking
Petr Yan’s next opponent in the UFC lineup has taken an unexpected turn, moving away from traditional rankings.
The former bantamweight champion, currently ranked #2, has faced some of the division’s most notable fighters, including Jose Aldo, Aljamain Sterling (twice), and the high-profile bout between Merab Dvalishvili and Sean O’Malley at UFC 316. Despite his impressive resume, Yan’s recent victories over Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo did not secure him an immediate shot at the title, leaving him to seek another win to re-enter the championship conversation.
In a surprising twist, the UFC appears to be pairing Yan with a competitor further down the rankings, signaling a different approach to matchmaking for the division’s top contenders.
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UFC Announces Yan’s Fight Against Marcus McGhee at UFC Abu Dhabi
According to reports from Cageside Press, Petr Yan has agreed to face off against #13-ranked contender Marcus McGhee at UFC Fight Night in Abu Dhabi scheduled for July 26. McGhee, 35, is a teammate of Sean O’Malley and trains at The MMA Lab in Phoenix, Arizona. With a professional record of 10 wins and just 1 loss, McGhee has made a strong impression in his UFC tenure, winning his first four bouts with three earning performance bonuses.
His recent victory over Jonathan Martinez at UFC 309 showcased his striking prowess, as he secured a knockout in his latest outing. Facing Yan, a former champion, marks a significant step up in competition for McGhee, who is eager to prove himself against a seasoned veteran.
O’Malley has publicly praised McGhee, calling him a “beast” during his teammate’s UFC debut in early 2023, highlighting the rising star’s potential in the division.
Fan Reactions: Confusion Over UFC’s Bantamweight Matchmaking
It’s uncommon to see a rising prospect like McGhee matched against a former champion such as Yan, especially when the latter is in pursuit of a title shot. Many fans are puzzled by this pairing, questioning the logic behind the matchmaking given Yan’s high ranking and McGhee’s lack of ranked wins.
One fan expressed their disbelief on social media, stating, “This fight doesn’t make any sense. Yan just defeated Figueiredo, who was undefeated at bantamweight at the time. He shouldn’t be fighting someone so far down the rankings. I get that he needs to stay active, but a rematch with Sandhagen would’ve been more logical-the winner of that deserves a title shot.”
This fight is not realistic at all. Yan just beat Figueiredo, who was undefeated at BW then. He shouldn’t be fighting someone so lower-ranked. A Sandhagen rematch would’ve made more sense-the winner of that rematch deserves a title shot.
– The Fight Sports Matrixer (@TheCSMatrixer), May 29, 2025
Another fan commented, “Don’t judge the matchmaking too harshly; maybe Yan just wanted an easy fight. I predicted Yan would win this one.”
Some critics argue that the pairing is a misstep, suggesting that a bout against Umar Nurmagomedov or another top contender would have been more appropriate for Yan’s championship aspirations.
Historically, Yan’s matchmaking choices have sparked debate. In 2022, he was the #1 contender and faced #11-ranked Sean O’Malley at UFC 280, despite O’Malley having no prior ranked wins. While the decision drew criticism, O’Malley’s victory in that fight propelled him into the title picture, albeit amid controversy.
