Esther Lin, MMA Fighting
Petr Yan delivered the goods earlier tonight (Sat., Dec. 14, 2019) at UFC 245 live on ESPN+ PPV from inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, when he bloodied four-time UFC title challenger Urijah Faber en route to a vicious third-round knockout finish (head kick).
Despite Faber’s level changing and constant movement, Yan was able to control the action from the opening round. He landed the heavier punches and often left Faber off center after exchanges. An elbow by Yan ended up slicing and bruising Faber’s eye pretty badly, but the fight went on. Early into the next round Yan launched a beautifully-timed head kick that leveled “California Kid” and ended the fight in an instant.
Check out the full fight video highlights below courtesy of UFC/ESPN.
?C?a?l?i?f?o?r?n?i?a? ?K?i?d? Cali’s Dad! @UrijahFaber #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/MwWey1t8W2
— UFC (@ufc) December 15, 2019
Still some tricks in the bag for @UrijahFaber #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/EzXx7xB8zc
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) December 15, 2019
Good start for No Mercy in R1! @PetrYanUFC #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/kAvlPtt5s7
— UFC (@ufc) December 15, 2019
DROPPED!
But Faber’s still in it! @PetrYanUFC #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/4oLKAPmwX8
— UFC (@ufc) December 15, 2019
NO. MERCY.
@PetrYanUFC finishes Faber with a flush head kick in R3! #UFC245
Get the E+ PPV ?? https://t.co/l5vGF5X6h1 #UFC245 pic.twitter.com/R5lS7Ugkwo
— UFC (@ufc) December 15, 2019
With this performance, Yan extends his UFC unbeaten streak to six and secures his most impressive victory to date. The Russian contender will look to take this knockout over Faber into 2020 and lock down his first, and well-deserved, UFC title shot.
For complete UFC 245 results and coverage click here.