Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports
The main event of UFC Kazakhstan should determine the next bantamweight title challenger.
It looks like a huge bantamweight matchup is coming to the UFC’s debut event in Kazakhstan, as former title challenger Marlon Moraes now appears set to meet Petr Yan.
MMA Junkie first reported the matchup. The event is expected to take place at Astana Arena in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan, though the UFC is yet to confirm the fight or the location.
Moraes (23-6-1) was on the end of a controversial split decision win against former featherweight champ Jose Aldo in his last fight. Winning four of his first five UFC fights, three by first-round stoppage, earned Moraes a title shot against Henry Cejudo. Moreas did well early in his title bid, but ultimately ended up losing by third round stoppage.
Since debuting for the promotion back in 2018, Yan (14-1) has gone undefeated after six straight fights. The Russian’s last three wins have been his most impressive, winning decisions against John Dodson and Jimmie Rivera—and most recently picking up a KO against Urijah Faber.
Following the fight announcement, Yan mocked the division’s champion Cejudo by indicating he will fight the loser of this fight.