Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Petr Yan (red gloves) before his fight against Sean O'Malley (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports

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Petr Yan Gets A New Opponent For UFC Abu Dhabi Card In July

Petr Yan gets a new challenge for the upcoming July 26 card in Abu Dhabi feauting the main event of Robert Whittaker vs Reinier De Ridder!

Oct 22, 2022; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Petr Yan (red gloves) before his fight against Sean O'Malley (blue gloves) during UFC 280 at Etihad Arena. Mandatory Credit: Craig Kidwell-USA TODAY Sports

After years of being one of the most feared strikers in the 135-pound weight class, Petr Yan has been on a mission to reclaim his throne. His journey back to the top hasn’t been easy though. Yan lost his bantamweight title to Aljamain Sterling in a controversial disqualification back in 2021 after landing an illegal knee. That moment still haunts many fans who felt the championship changed hands in the worst possible way.

Since then, Yan has been grinding his way back up the rankings with the determination. Yan’s technical striking and relentless pressure have kept him relevant in title conversations. Now he’s got a fresh challenge waiting for him in the desert heat of Abu Dhabi this July.

Petr Yan vs Marcus McGhee Set For July

The UFC has officially booked Petr Yan against Marcus McGhee for their July 26 card in Abu Dhabi. This fight represents a massive step up for McGhee, who has been quietly building his reputation in the bantamweight division. The timing couldn’t be better for both fighters. Yan is coming off back-to-back wins and needs to keep his momentum rolling. McGhee, on the other hand, is getting the biggest opportunity of his career against a former champion.

Petr Yan will fight Marcus McGhee at #UFCAbuDhabi on July 26th. (first rep. @mmamania) #UFC #MMA #UFCESPN #UFC2025 pic.twitter.com/onVa7d4WaQ
— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) June 11, 2025

McGhee has been perfect since joining the UFC with a 4-0 record that includes three impressive finishes. His most recent victory came against Jonathan Martinez in November, where he showed improved patience and fight IQ by going the distance. Before that, McGhee was on a knockout streak that had fans taking notice. His power has been his calling card, but facing Yan will test every aspect of his game. The Russian is known for his granite chin and elite-level striking defense.

Yan’s recent run has been exactly what he needed after a rough patch. His last fight against Deiveson Figueiredo was a masterclass in pressure fighting. Before that, he defeated Song Yadong in impressive fashion. These wins came after a frustrating three-fight losing streak that included those controversial decisions against Sterling and Sean O’Malley, plus a one-sided beating from current champion Merab Dvalishvili.

This Abu Dhabi card is shaping up to be special, with Robert Whittaker facing Reinier de Ridder in the main event. But the Yan vs McGhee fight might steal the show if both men bring their best. For Yan, it’s another chance to prove he’s still elite. For McGhee, it’s a career-defining moment that could launch him into title contention with an upset victory.

(Image Credit: Craig Kidwell – Imagn Images)

Marcus McGhee

Petr Yan

UFC Abu Dhabi

Zaid Quraishi

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!