Petr “No Mercy” Yan (19-5) is a former UFC Bantamweight Champion known for his iron-clad defense, calculated aggression, and technical boxing mastery. Hailing from Russia, Yan established himself as one of the most precise and formidable strikers in the sport, winning the title by consistently out-striking the division’s elite. After a difficult stretch defined by closely contested decisions and a controversial disqualification, Yan has recently found his winning form again and is firmly back in the title conversation.
Yan’s style is characterized by a slow, calculating start followed by merciless, high-volume pressure in the later rounds, earning him the nickname “No Mercy.” He is set for a pivotal rematch against the man who holds the gold, Merab Dvalishvili.
Whether you are looking for his current net worth, his champion record, personal life details, or the latest betting analysis for his upcoming fight, this comprehensive guide covers everything you need to know about the Russian star.
Quick Stats: Petr Yan
| Stat | Details |
|---|---|
| Age | 32 (Born Feb 11, 1993) |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Represents | Russia |
| Languages | Russian, English (Improving) |
| Religion | Russian Orthodox Christian |
| Nickname | No Mercy |
| Division | Bantamweight (135 lbs) |
| Reach | 67 in (170 cm) |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170 cm) |
| Team | Archangel Michael Fight Club / Tiger Muay Thai |
| Net Worth (2025) | ~$3.8 Million (Est.) |
Petr Yan Net Worth 2025: How Much Does He Make?
As of late 2025, Petr Yan’s estimated net worth is approximately $3.8 Million USD.
His career earnings are substantial, largely due to his status as a former champion and interim champion, which guaranteed him high base purses and co-main/main event paydays.
Average Pay: As a top-ranked contender and former champion, Petr Yan now makes approximately $400,000 to $800,000 per fight when factoring in his base salary, win bonuses, and sponsorship money.
Fight Purse Breakdown and Career Earnings
Yan’s pay structure has been consistently high since winning the UFC title.
- Base Salary: For recent co-main event appearances (like his win over Song Yadong at UFC 299), Yan commanded a base salary of around $200,000 with an equal win bonus, totaling over $400,000 before bonuses.
- Championship Bouts: During his title run, his total purses were significantly higher, often surpassing $600,000 for high-profile title fights. His total disclosed career earnings are reported to be over $3.7 million.
- Bonuses: Yan has earned post-fight bonuses for his knockout of Urijah Faber and his epic war with Cory Sandhagen.
Biography: The Siberian Boxer
Where is Petr Yan from?
Petr Yan was born in the small Arctic town of Dudinka, Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia.
Cultural Background & Heritage
Yan represents Russia in the Octagon, but his family background is culturally mixed.
- Heritage: Yan’s father was of mixed Chinese (paternal grandfather) and Georgian-Russian (paternal grandmother) descent, making Petr Yan part Chinese by ethnicity, though he identifies as Russian.
- Languages: Yan primarily speaks Russian. He has worked hard to improve his English over the years, often surprising fans by engaging in unassisted trash talk during recent press conferences.
- Religion: Yan is a Russian Orthodox Christian. While he is private about his faith, it forms part of the cultural and spiritual backdrop of his discipline and focus.
Boxing Master
Yan began training in boxing in his youth, inspired by his older brother.
- Master of Sport: He earned the prestigious rank of Master of Sport in Boxing in the 64kg weight category in Russia, which is a rare achievement and the core reason behind his impeccable striking defense and technical proficiency.
- The “No Mercy” Nickname: The nickname reflects his fighting mentality: slow to start, but once he figures out his opponent in the middle rounds, he applies relentless, brutal pressure until the finish.
Where Does Petr Yan Live and Train?
Yan is known for utilizing high-level camps in various locations to prepare for specific opponents.
Home Base: Omsk & Yekaterinburg, Russia
Yan primarily lives and trains in Omsk and Yekaterinburg, Russia, where he works with local coaches and teams.
International Training Camps
- Archangel Michael Fight Club: This is his primary affiliation in Russia.
- Tiger Muay Thai (Thailand): Yan frequently travels to Phuket, Thailand, to utilize the world-class striking resources at Tiger Muay Thai, a destination popular with many elite UFC fighters for its high-level striking partners and conditioning.
Fight Record & Career Highlights
Professional Record: 19 Wins, 5 Losses.
Petr Yan’s career is one of the most volatile in UFC history, marked by a dominant rise to the championship followed by three extremely close and controversial losses. He is currently on a three-fight winning streak.
Championship and Key Wins Breakdown
| Opponent | Result | Method | Event | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marcus McGhee | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC on ABC 9 | Secured 3rd consecutive win |
| Deiveson Figueiredo | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC Fight Night 248 | Dominant win over former 2x Flyweight Champ |
| Cory Sandhagen | Win | Decision (Unanimous) | UFC 267 | Won Interim Bantamweight Title |
| José Aldo | Win | TKO (R5) | UFC 251 | Won Vacant Bantamweight Title |
| Urijah Faber | Win | KO (R3) | UFC 245 | Highlight Reel Finish |
The Loss Streak: From 2021 to 2023, Yan lost three straight high-stakes fights, all of which were championship affairs or top-contender matchups:
- vs. Aljamain Sterling (DQ): Lost the title via disqualification due to an illegal knee (the only stoppage loss of his career).
- vs. Aljamain Sterling (Decision): Lost the title rematch via split decision, which many media members and fans scored for Yan.
- vs. Sean O’Malley (Decision): Lost via split decision in another extremely close bout, with many outlets scoring the fight for Yan.
When is Petr Yan’s Next Fight? (UFC 323)
Petr Yan is scheduled to challenge for the title in a highly anticipated rematch against UFC Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 323 on December 6, 2025. This rematch serves as Yan’s opportunity to avenge his dominant loss to Merab in 2023, where Merab set a record for takedown attempts. The Russian fighter is desperate to reclaim the championship and reset his legacy after battling through a controversial period defined by close decisions. This five-round main event promises to be a battle between Yan’s technical striking and Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling pressure.
Personal Life: Wife, Family & Stability
Despite his ruthless “No Mercy” persona in the cage, Petr Yan is a private and dedicated family man.
Wife and Children
- Wife: Petr Yan is married to his high-school sweetheart, Julia Yan. They have been together since their youth in Dudinka, Russia. Julia remains mostly out of the public spotlight but is often seen traveling with Petr to his major fights, providing support.
- Children: The couple has two sons, Daniil (born 2016) and Konstantin (born 2020). Yan frequently posts messages about his dedication to providing for his family, stating they are his ultimate source of motivation.
Public Stance
Yan is known for his stoic and reserved demeanor. While he is generally not politically vocal, he posted an image of the Ukrainian and Russian flags with a dove of peace following the 2022 invasion, reflecting a desire for unity.
Analysis: Strengths & Weaknesses
Petr Yan is the epitome of a high-risk, high-reward bettor’s dream, offering excellent betting value due to his polarizing style.
✅ Strengths (When to Bet ON Yan)
- Championship Rounds (Rounds 4 & 5): Yan is a notorious slow starter. He famously makes “reads” in the early rounds and then turns up the volume and pressure significantly in the later rounds. Betting “Yan to win in Round 4 or later” or simply betting on him live in the third round offers excellent value.
- Striking Defense and Accuracy: Yan has phenomenal striking defense (60% significant strike defense) combined with high accuracy (50%). He rarely wastes shots and is incredibly difficult to hit cleanly.
- Takedown Defense: Yan boasts an impressive 82% takedown defense (TD Def), which is elite at 135 lbs. This strength is crucial against relentless wrestlers like Merab Dvalishvili.
❌ Weaknesses (When to Bet AGAINST Yan)
- Slow Starts: Yan willingly gives up the first round to gather data. Against quick-starting volume strikers or wrestlers, he can easily lose the first two rounds, putting him in a deep deficit in 3-round fights.
- High-Risk Decisions: Due to his late surge style, many of his key fights (O’Malley, Sterling II) resulted in split or controversial decisions. When betting on Yan to win by decision, you are often counting on the judges prioritizing damage and late-fight control over early volume.
- Relatively Low Reach: His 67-inch reach is on the shorter end for the bantamweight division. He has to step into the pocket more often than longer fighters, exposing him briefly to counters.
Betting Tip: Yan’s earnings structure means he is compensated well even in losses, which sometimes allows him to be more strategically aggressive, especially in the later rounds when he knows the bonus money is on the line.
FAQ: Common Questions About Petr Yan
What is Petr Yan’s fighting style?
Yan’s style is pure high-level Boxing, built on a foundation of exceptional defensive wrestling (82% TD Def) and unparalleled stamina. He fights with an intellectual, counter-punching approach that turns into heavy pressure.
Did Petr Yan ever win the title?
Yes, he first won the vacant UFC Bantamweight Championship by defeating José Aldo in 2020. He later won the Interim Bantamweight Championship by defeating Cory Sandhagen in 2021.
What is Yan’s ethnicity?
Petr Yan has a mixed ethnic background. His father was part Chinese (paternal grandfather) and part Russian/Georgian, while his mother is Russian.
Why was Petr Yan disqualified?
Yan lost his title against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259 in 2021 after landing an illegal knee strike to a grounded Sterling in the fourth round. The foul was deemed intentional, resulting in a rare disqualification loss.
Does Petr Yan train with Merab Dvalishvili?
No, Yan and Merab Dvalishvili are intense rivals who train in completely different camps (Yan in Russia/Thailand; Merab in New York). They are scheduled to fight a rematch for the Bantamweight title.