There have been a number of publicized bouts involving the elite bantamweights division in the last few weeks, but Petr “No Mercy” Yan seems intent on fighting an opponent who is not currently ranked in the UFC. Check out the
best bookmakers
for betting on MMA!
While the division’s top contenders have been paired up, Yan wants a big fight after losing to Aljamain Sterling in April’s UFC 273 championship unification match. Sterling is scheduled to defend his title against T.J. Dillashaw at the upcoming UFC 279 in September. Cory Sandhagen and Song Yadong, as well as Marlon Vera and Dominick Cruz, are all set to face off against one another in that upcoming match.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Bet now
Yan expresses his intention to fight Henry “The Messenger” Cejudo, a world-class fighter who has just returned to the USADA pool after ending his retirement.
“Hey Henry Cejudo, you talked a lot when you were ‘retired,’” the 29-year-old wrote. “Now it’s time to back it up.”
Few were surprised, though, when Cejudo accepted Yan’s dare and the two engaged in a Twitter spat.
“Only if you had the gold I would have loved to have buried,” Cejudo wrote.
Following his successful championship defense in May 2020 against Dominick Cruz at UFC 249, Cejudo announced his retirement, stressing a desire to be compensated fairly. UFC President Dana White made the announcement during the post-fight news conference that Yan will be challenging for the vacant title in his next fight.
Two months later, at UFC 251, Yan stopped José Aldo in the fifth round to win the bantamweight belt Cejudo had relinquished. However, his debut title defense terminated in debate when he improperly kneed challenger Sterling, leading to Sterling’s disqualification. In spite of his triumph over Sandhagen and the subsequent interim belt and championship chance at UFC 273, Yan was defeated by Sterling via split decision.
“The truth is you retired the day I became number 1 contender and unretired on the same day I ceased to be the champion. Now you ducking me again only proving those facts,” Yan replied.
Cejudo used the chance to attack the reigning bantamweight champion, Sterling, and bash Yan as well.
“You know I’m getting the title shoot next,” Cejudo wrote.
Cejudo’s return
At age 35, Cejudo won the UFC flyweight title in 2018 and successfully defended it just before moving up to the challenge for the vacant bantamweight crown. After winning that belt and defending it once, he decided to retire because he didn’t like the UFC’s financial offer.
Cejudo has spent his retirement teaching boxing at his Scottsdale, Arizona gym. A number of current and previous champions, such as Jon Jones, Deiveson Figueiredo, Zhang Weili, Cris Cyborg, and more, have joined the roster of the 2008 Olympic wrestling gold medalist.
Speculation over the Olympic gold medalist’s return to the cage has been sparked by his recent readmission to the USADA testing pool to end Cejudo’s two years retirement. According to the UFC’s anti-doping protocol, fighters must undergo random drug testing for a minimum of six months before being reinstated into competition.
Check out the top sportsbook bonuses for betting on MMA
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
USA Players Welcome
Wagering (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
Open Bet365
Get bonus now
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
Get $150 in Bonus Bets Win or Lose when you bet $5!
T&Cs apply
4.5/5
Subject to meeting qualifying criteria. Minimum wager $5. Minimum odds -500 or greater. $10 minimum deposit. Paid in Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. Available in app only. Max. prize, game restrictions, time limits and T&Cs apply. Deposit required. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply.Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
21+ and present in VA. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
This site is using
Cloudflare
and adheres to the
Google Safe Browsing Program. We adapted
Google's Privacy Guidelines
to keep your data safe at all times.
Close
Our Sports Pros recommend these awesome sports betting sites this week:
DraftKings Promo
Bet $5 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets Instantly!
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open DraftKings
Get Bonus
FanDuel Promo
Bet $5 Get $200 in Bonus Bets If Your Bet Wins!
T&Cs and 21+ apply
Code:
Open FanDuel
Get Bonus
BetMGM Promo
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
