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Petr Yan Updates Recovery After Two Surgeries in Five Months
UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan posted an Instagram update on July 8 about ongoing recovery from two back surgeries. He recaptured the title in December 2025 before the procedures began.
Jul 11, 6:30 AM·1m read1 source
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Petr Yan said he continues to recover after two surgeries performed within five months. yardbarker.com reported that the UFC bantamweight champion underwent major lumbar surgery in late January 2026 and spent nine hours under anesthesia during the operation on his lower back. Yan posted the update on Instagram on July 8.
He had targeted a return to competition within a couple of months after the first procedure, but no confirmed date has been set for his first title defense as of July 11. Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision at UFC 323 in December 2025 to recapture the bantamweight title. yardbarker.com reported that the second surgery occurred within five months of the first.
Sean O’Malley has publicly called for a rematch with Yan following UFC 324. Umar Nurmagomedov has recorded recent wins in the bantamweight division.
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