Petr Yan plans to rename Yas Island to “Yan Island” before UFC 333
Ahead of UFC 333, Petr Yan spoke in a promotional interview with Megan Olivi, suggesting that Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, should be named "Yan Island."
The bantamweight champ pointed to his title victories in Abu Dhabi, playfully claiming that they should use his name instead.
Petr Yan Jokes About Renaming Yas Island Ahead of Return
The 33-year-old won his first undisputed bantamweight belt on Yas Island in 2020 by knocking out Jose Aldo at UFC 251. Then again, after losing his belt to Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259 in 2021, he returned that very year at UFC 267 to claim the interim title at the same venue (Yas Island) by defeating Cory Sandhagen.
As a result of these title wins, Abu Dhabi has remained a memorable chapter in his career. In an interview with Megan Olivi, Petr Yan joked about wanting to rename Yas Island to "Yan Island" while recalling his victories in Abu Dhabi. 'No Mercy,' said:
"In 2020, during the pandemic, beat Jose Aldo and won the belt. Then, in 2021, fought Cory Sandhagen for the interim title, also in Abu Dhabi, on Yas Island, and won that one too, so now we're going to call it Yan Island, and that's good for me."
Petr Yan Will Face Merab Dvalisvhili at UFC 333
At UFC 333, Petr Yan will face 'The Machine' for the third time in his career. The two bantamweights are tied at one win each and have spent 50 minutes inside the Octagon.
Dvalishvili won this first fight against Yan in 2023 by unanimous decision. However, 'No Mercy' answered back in a rematch at UFC 323 and reclaimed his belt in spectacular fashion.
UFC 333 fight week is approaching, and Yan believes the third fight with the Georgian will be just as interesting as the previous ones. He told Megan Olivi:
"You know, every MMA fighter has their own game plan. This is his to keep moving forward to keep pressuring. But as we know, diamonds are made under pressure, right? So we find out who we really are when that pressure keeps coming at you and you're going to see if you are that diamond. Everybody knows how to swim, but not everybody is ready to go too far away from the shore."
"I download information in the cage. We've been in there for 50 minutes already, the two of us. Two fights, five rounds each. I'm able to see what my opponent has prepared. I'm able to collect that information and adjust accordingly. I think that the third fight is going to be just as exciting, just as fiery, just as loud. It's going to be an interesting matchup. It's going to be a tough matchup and hopefully we'll come out victorious."
