Is Petr Yan official backup for Merab-Sandhagen at UFC 320? The ‘ready’ ex-champ explains…

Reigning UFC bantamweight champion, Merab Dvalishvili, will make his next 135-pound title defense against No. 4-ranked contender, Cory Sandhagen, in the upcoming UFC 320 pay-per-view (PPV) co-main event, recently made official for Sat., Oct. 4, 2025 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The promotion frequently enlists backup fighters for high-stakes title fights in the unlikely event that a combatant fails to make weight, gets injured, or refuses to answer the call on fight night (it happens).

That could create an opportunity at UFC 320 for ex-bantamweight champion, Petr Yan.

“I am ready, but there was no offer from the UFC,” Yan told RB Sport. “So I will watch the fight and enjoy.”

Dvalishvili has a history of fight camp hijinks but has yet to bail on any of his scheduled title fights.

Yan, 32, improved to 19-5 with his decision victory over Marcus McGhee at UFC Abu Dhabi last month on ABC. “No Mercy” is now the winner of three straight and expected to rematch the winner of Dvalishvili vs. Sandhagen. Yan was bested by “The Machine” at UFC Las Vegas but holds a win over “Sandman” at UFC 267.

To see who else is fighting at UFC 320 click here.