Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan won a thrilling battle of ex-champions on Saturday in the main event of UFC Macau at Galaxy Arena.
Yan handed former UFC men’s flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo a unanimous decision loss (50-45 x3), sweeping every round from the Brazilian. As lopsided as the scorecards were in favor of Yan, the fight was anything but easy for the Russian-Chinese bantamweight.
Figueiredo had his moments. He began the fight by securing top position and held it for close to a minute before Yan reversed it and inflicted more damage.
In the fourth round, which I scored for Figueiredo, the Brazilian seemed to land the better shots. Nonetheless, Yan was the rightful winner of the fight.
His striking, defensive wrestling, and pace were the major factors. Yan’s diversified attack, ranging from a powerful uppercut to some well-timed kicks, seemed to keep Figueiredo off balance and on the retreat.
Yan’s all-around MMA game was on full display too. Even when Figueiredo was able to secure a takedown, Yan worked flawlessly to get to his feet and regain control.
Neither man seemed to tire much as the rigorous fight went five rounds, but Yan never appeared to show any wilt. That show of resolve included eating a hard body shot late in the fight from the Brazilian.
A lesser-conditioned fighter might have folded from that punch. The win puts Yan on a two-fight win streak and firmly back in the picture for an opportunity to regain the bantamweight title.
Following the fight, several people took to social media to offer their appreciation of the fight and Yan’s performance—including reigning bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili.
Dvalishvili defeated Yan by unanimous decision in March 2023. It might be too soon for a rematch. Instead, a rematch between Yan and Sean O’Malley makes more sense. Yan lost a split decision to O’Malley in October 2022.
UFC Macau Co-Main Event: Yan Xiaonan Dominates Tabatha Ricci
In the co-main event, Yan Xiaonan proved there is a huge difference between No. 2 and No. 10 in the women’s strawweight division. The former title challenger from China dominated Tabatha Ricci in all three rounds to earn a lopsided unanimous decision win (30-27 x3).
Here is a look at all of the results from Macau with highlights of every finish–including the bonus winners.
- Yan Xiaonan defeats Tabatha Ricci by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Muslim Salikhov defeats Song Kenan by KO (spinning wheel kick) at 3:49 of Round 1
Spinning wheel kick KOs are rare, but Salikhov delivered one that earned him a Performance of the Night bonus.
- Gabriella Fernandes defeats Wang Cong by technical submission (rear-naked choke) at 3:49 of Round 2
Fernandes pulled off a major upset, dropping Wang with a huge straight right hand before securing the rear-naked choke to put her opponent to sleep. Fernandes took home one of the bonuses.
- Carlos Ulberg defeats Volkan Oezdemir by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Zhang Mingyang defeats Ozzy Diaz by TKO (elbow and punches) at 2:25 of Round 1
Mingyang’s step-through elbow dropped Diaz and led to an explosive finish. The rising light heavyweight looks like a serious contender at 205 pounds. Mingyang was another fighter rewarded with a bonus for his win.
- SuYoung You defeats Baergeng Jieleysi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- DongHun Choi defeats Kiru Sahota by KO (right hook) at 2:36 of Round 1
Choi’s huge right hand secured a spectacular KO victory, earning him a UFC contract.
- Shi Ming defeats Feng Xiaocan by KO (head kick) at 0:46 of Round 3
This finish was a scary one. Ming caught Xiaocan flush in the face with a right leg head kick. Xiaocan was out before she hit the canvas. Ming’s devastating head kick KO was so impactful that Xiaocan was stretchered out of the Octagon.
Ming earned a bonus for her win.
- Carlos Hernandez defeats Nyamjargal Tumendemberel by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Lone’er Kavanagh defeats Jose Ochoa by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Xiao Long defeats Quang Le by KO (strikes) at 1:28 of Round 3
Long showcased impressive power in his UFC debut, making him a potential name to watch in the bantamweight division.
- Nikolas Motta defeats Maheshate by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
