The hunting season is on! The new champion is challenged to a rematch in the UFC.

Petr yan Focused before fighting in the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/X/UFC

A few days after to defeat Merab Dvalishvili and regain the UFC bantamweight championship title (up to 61,2 kg), Petr yan He already has a candidate to challenge, and it is a well-known name: Sean O'Malley. The American came forward on Monday (8) in a video published on YouTube to question the Russian's apparent lack of interest in avenging the defeat suffered in October 2022.

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According to Suga, the new champion usually avoids talking about the possibility of a rematch when asked about it. At the time, the two athletes engaged in a fierce three-round duel, which resulted in a split decision in favor of the American.

“Whenever Petr is asked about me and a rematch, he avoids the subject… He says I don’t deserve it. Wouldn’t that be a great reason to defend the belt? I fought Chito,” stated O’Malley, who has a fight scheduled with… song yadong protocols for UFC 324.

Sean O'Malley think Petr yan is avoiding him

"Every time Petr's been asked about me and a rematch, he's avoided it… He says I'm not deserving. Wouldn't that be a great reason to defend the belt? I fought Chito."

(via @SugaSeanMMA) pic.twitter.com/hZsryY0GPu

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) December 8, 2025

The result of the confrontation between the two, which took place in Abu Dhabi on UFC 280The match was heavily criticized by much of the specialized media. Despite this, the confrontation served as a title eliminator for the American, who then became champion by knocking out... aljamain sterling.

Petr Yan regained the belt after a losing streak in the UFC.

Petr yan in victory against Merab Dvalishvili No. UFC 323. Photo: Reproduction/X.

After losing the belt by disqualification in 2021, Yan suffered three defeats in the following four fights, one of them to Merab DvalishviliDespite this, the Russian recovered and defeated three opponents in a row to get revenge with the Georgian last Saturday (6) and return to the top of the category. Against O'Malley, he would have the opportunity to once again "correct" an old setback.