Select date
'It's Petr Yan and somebody': UFC chief Dana White confirms Russian bantamweight to get title shot after Henry Cejudo retirement
Russia could be in line for another UFC champion after Dana White confirmed that Petr Yan will be one half of a fight to determine the new UFC bantamweight titleholder following the surprise retirement of Henry Cejudo at UFC 249.
Cejudo defended the UFC's 135lb crown with a second tround TKO win against Dominick Cruz at Saturday's UFC event in Jacksonville, Florida to become just the second fighter in UFC history to have successful title defenses in two separate weight categories.
Also on rt.com 'Best contract negotiations ever?': Skepticism as Henry Cejudo announces retirement after UFC 249 title defense (VIDEO)
However, 'Triple C' surprised the mixed martial arts community immediately after the fight by announcing his retirement meaning that the UFC will now have to pair two of the division's contenders to compete for the now vacant championship - and according to Dana White, one of those two men has already been set.
"It's Petr Yan and somebody," White said. "We'll get that figured out too. We'll make a title fight next week for the vacant title and probably do that fight as soon as possible."
This statement was welcomed by Yan on social media, who told the UFC president to just tell him "when and where."
I’m very happy to hear this news @danawhite Just tell me when and where, I don’t care who’s the opponent. My goal is to win the belt and become undisputed champion ✊
