TLDR
- Petr Yan underwent major back surgery requiring nine hours of anesthesia
- The UFC bantamweight champion expects to recover within two months
- Yan aims to defend his title in late fall 2026 if recovery proceeds as planned
- Sean O’Malley may wait until early 2027 for a shot at Yan’s title
- UFC could create an interim title if Yan’s recovery extends beyond expectations
Sources: MMA Mania | Sherdog | MMA Fighting
UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan announced on Instagram that he recently underwent major back surgery that required nine hours of anesthesia. The 32-year-old fighter shared the news with his followers on January 28, 2026.
Yan holds a professional record of 20-5 and currently sits atop the bantamweight division. The surgery represents a major hurdle in his championship reign and could impact upcoming fights in the division.
Recovery Timeline and Training Plans
The Russian fighter expects to recover within two months according to his social media post. This timeline would allow him to begin training camp at the start of summer.
If his recovery proceeds as planned, Yan aims to defend his title in late fall 2026. However, any complications or delays could push his return into early 2027.
The extended absence raises questions about the bantamweight division’s immediate future. UFC officials may consider creating an interim title if Yan’s recovery takes longer than expected.
🚨 Petr Yan reveals he had lower back surgery yesterday and expects to return in a couple of months
"I was under anesthesia for 9 hours. I had surgery on my lower back yesterday. A couple of months and I'll be back in action."
(via @PetrYanUFC) pic.twitter.com/kCqUdJ9rwE
— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) January 28, 2026
Impact on Division Contenders
Sean O’Malley recently stated he wants to wait for a trilogy bout between Yan and Merab Dvalishvili. This strategy could leave O’Malley inactive until early 2027 if Yan’s recovery extends beyond the projected timeline.
O’Malley, a former two-division champion, has expressed frustration with the current situation. He snapped a two-fight losing streak at UFC 324 with a victory over Song Yadong.
The UFC may attempt to convince O’Malley to fight other top contenders while waiting for Yan. Potential opponents include Umar Nurmagomedov and Cory Sandhagen, both of whom are ranked highly in the division.
Any matchup with O’Malley could require contract renegotiations. Sources describe O’Malley as careful about financial terms when selecting fights.
Dvalishvili remains a top contender and has history with Yan. The two fighters have previously met twice, creating anticipation for a potential trilogy bout.
Yan previously removed Dvalishvili from the top five in pound-for-pound rankings. The rivalry between the two fighters continues to generate interest among fans.
The surgery details shared by Yan indicate the procedure was extensive. Nine hours under anesthesia suggests a complex medical intervention that required careful surgical work.
Back injuries are common among mixed martial arts fighters due to the physical demands of the sport. The spine absorbs tremendous impact during training and competition.
Yan’s camp has not released specific details about the nature of the back problem. Medical privacy considerations typically limit the information fighters share publicly.
The bantamweight division has several fighters ready to compete for title opportunities. Rankings could shift during Yan’s absence as contenders face each other.
Fans and analysts are closely monitoring Yan’s recovery progress through his social media updates. The champion has maintained an active online presence throughout his career.
The late fall timeline would place a potential title defense around October or November 2026. This schedule assumes no setbacks occur during Yan’s rehabilitation process.
