P. Yan (photo) became champion of the category after beating J. Aldo in the UFC 251. Photo: Reproduction/Instagram
Current champion in bantamweight (up to 61,2kg.), Petr yan was willing to give a chance to TJ Dillashaw try to get his old belt back. With a fight scheduled for UFC 259, on March 6, the Russian welcomes a future confrontation against the former leader of the category, who returns to MMA after two years of suspension for doping.
See too
“Maybe (face) Dillashaw. He's back after drug tests. I want to fight him, man”, said the champion, in an interview with 'Fanatics View'.
The 'marriage' of the clash, however, is not as simple as it seems. Although he is willing to exchange forces against one of the best in the history of the category, Yan states that there are conditions for the confrontation to get off the ground.
“It’s in the hands of the UFC. It will be how they decide. If the terms are correct, I will face him. Let’s just make sure he’s not using anything prohibited this time,” said Petr.
Division champion twice – 2014 to 2016; 2017 to 2019 – Dillashaw was suspended two years ago for using banned substances, which would facilitate weight loss. At the time, the fighter admitted to having ingested the facilitators and gave up the title even before being convicted.
At the time, it was used to better prepare for the superfight against Henry Cejudo, in the fight for the flyweight title (up to 56,7kg.). TJ, who was trying to win a belt in a new category, ended up easily knocked out by his rival in January 2019.
While awaiting Dillashaw's return, Yan is scheduled to defend his first belt. The Russian will face aljamain sterling in one of the main fights of the UFC 259, which will feature three title fights.
Comments