UFC 324 to Determine Petr Yan’s Next Challenger
The outcome of UFC 324 will help determine the next challenger for the bantamweight champion, Petr Yan. Two potential contenders will compete at this event: Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov. Their performances could shape the future title landscape in the bantamweight division.
Petr Yan’s Championship Status
Petr Yan, hailing from Yekaterinburg, Russia, boasts a professional record of 20 wins and 5 losses. He recently secured a victory over Merab Dvalishvili on December 7, 2025, at UFC 323. Yan won the match by unanimous decision with scorecards reading 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47.
UFC 324 Highlights
UFC 324 is set to take place in Las Vegas, Nevada. The card features a main event between Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje, while Sean O’Malley will face Song Yadong in a co-main event.
Umar Nurmagomedov will compete against Deiveson Figueiredo in an exciting preliminary fight. The outcomes of these matches will be critical in determining Yan’s next opponent.
Potential Contenders
- Sean O’Malley: The former 135-pound champion, O’Malley won a split decision against Yan in their first bout in 2022. If he defeats Yadong at UFC 324, he could earn a rematch with Yan, who will be motivated to avenge that loss.
- Umar Nurmagomedov: If Nurmagomedov wins against Figueiredo, he could step into the title contention with Yan. Nurmagomedov, who has a strong favorite status, previously challenged for the title but faced a setback against Dvalishvili.
Scenarios Impacting the Bantamweight Division
The dynamics of the bantamweight division hinge on the performances at UFC 324. If O’Malley narrowly defeats Yadong and Nurmagomedov secures a decisive victory over Figueiredo, fans may witness an all-Russian showdown between Yan and Nurmagomedov.
Conversely, if O’Malley performs well, he may exploit the narrative of already having a victory over the champion, pressing for a rematch instead. The implications of these fights could significantly alter the path forward for Petr Yan and the bantamweight title.
As UFC 324 approaches, all eyes will be on these high-stakes matchups that will ultimately shape the future for the bantamweight champion, Petr Yan.
