P. Yan (left) faces J. Aldo (right) for the bantamweight belt. Photo: SUPER FIGHTS montage. / MMA Press
After the retirement of the former bantamweight champion (up to 61,2kg), Henry Cejudo, Petr yan received the long-awaited opportunity to compete for the category title. At the UFC 251, which takes place on July 11, on 'Ilha da Luta', the Russian shows confidence when talking about his opponent, José Aldo, who was chosen to complete the challenge.
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“Honestly, I don't believe the fight will last five rounds, but I'll be prepared to fight five rounds, and I think I'll feel good. I've done this before and done well. I think the fight will be very interesting and competitive, because there is a belt, as well as much more at stake. None of us will back down. I believe and hope that I can win the belt. I'm going to knock him out and then I'll shake his hand”, said Petr, in an interview with 'RT.com'.
An MMA professional since March 2013, Yan, 27, knows well the challenge he is about to face. Aware of the dangers of facing one of the most successful names in Ultimate in recent years, the Russian has trained with Aldo in the past and guarantees to bring the necessary knowledge to defeat the man from Manaus.
“I was part of his camp (training period) for 40 days during preparation to face Frankie Edgar at UFC 200 (in 2016). We used to do sparring, wrestling and jiu-jitsu. José Aldo and André Pederneiras (leader of the 'Nova União' gym) gave me a ticket to UFC 198 (in 2016), in Curitiba (PR). I was there, in the middle of the audience. I have gained experience since that time, I have more skills than before. I wouldn't say he's improved since then. It may be the same, but it’s definitely not better,” said Yan.
On July 11, the 'People's Champion' will make his second appearance since moving to the bantamweight division. In his debut fight, in December last year, the man from Manaus surprised by managing to make weight in the category, he performed convincingly, but ended up defeated by Marlon moraes in the judges' split decision.
Aldo's good condition, however, caught the attention of the Ultimate management, who ended up promoting him, despite a negative result, as a challenger for the division's belt.
Petr also performed at UFC 245, when he dominated and beat, by knockout, the veteran Urijah faber. The triumph marked the 9th victory in a row for the Russian, who has only one defeat in his career in 15 professional MMA fights.
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