Cejudo Backs Petr Yan in 2025 Fighter of the Year Debate
Voters remain split between Yan's avenging title win versus Merab Dvalishvili's four-bout defense streak.
Overview
- Petr Yan reclaimed the UFC bantamweight title by defeating Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323, avenging a previous 50-45 loss.
- Yan also earned a decision win over Marcus McGhee in July, finishing the year 2-0.
- Merab Dvalishvili set a single-year mark with four successful bantamweight title defenses in 2025 before losing the rematch to Yan.
- On his Pound 4 Pound podcast with Kamaru Usman, Henry Cejudo cited 'quality vs. quantity' in naming Yan his Male Fighter of the Year.
- Year-end awards show no consensus, with some outlets selecting Dvalishvili and others noting candidates who posted multiple title victories.