Miami, FL – Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan isn’t impressed with either Sean O’Malley or Chito Vera being “gifted” title shots, but he’s got Song Yadong to prepare for at UFC 299 on Saturday night.
“I think Marlon Vera got a gift. Got gifted this title shot because he lost to Cory Sandhagen. Obviously it’s not for me to decide who is the title challenger, but I’m seriously in the mood to get back for the title race,” Yan told reporters including Cageside Press through a translator on Wednesday.
“Sean just picked a contender that he could beat because he doesn’t believe he can beat any other top contenders in the division.”
It wasn’t just Vera who drew the ire of the former champion. Yan also took a shot at O’Malley who took a split decision victory over him at UFC 280 in 2022.
“Just to remind everyone how he got his title shot because he got gifted a decision in a fight against me,” he said.
As far as who he thinks wins on Saturday night he decided not to give a name.
“To be honest it’s 50-50. Whoever could force his game plan, his style, is going to win,” said Yan.
Watch the entire media day scrum with Petr Yan above. He takes on Song Yadong at UFC 299 on Saturday night.
