'We were texting the entire night': Dana White must choose between O'Malley and Song Yadong… and Yan wants the UFC in Russia
Petr Yan kept his title and already has two contenders knocking on his door: the man who beat him in 2022 and the Chinese star coming off a knockout of Umar Nurmagomedov. He also asked for a fight in his hometown.
By Equipo La Jaula Props · · 2 min read
Photos: Musicmakestheworldgoround, CC0 · Bandysputed, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons, cropped)
Petr Yan left UFC 333 with the bantamweight belt, a unanimous decision win (48-47 on all three cards) over Merab Dvalishvili and a problem Dana White loves: two serious contenders for his next defense.
Dana White: "We were texting the entire night"
At the press conference, the UFC boss admitted they spent the night texting about Song Yadong and Sean O'Malley, calling it "a good problem to have". Asked whether Yan is now the greatest bantamweight of all time, he said it would be very difficult to say no.
Option 1: Sean O'Malley, unfinished business
- He beat Yan by split decision at UFC 280 (October 2022), a result many fans still dispute.
- He lost twice to Merab, but he's 2-0 in 2026: a unanimous decision over Song Yadong at UFC 324 (January) and a TKO of Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Freedom 250 (June).
- On UFC 333 night he posted photos of his wins over Yan and Song with a message: while you're celebrating, I'm training.
- Yan himself had said days earlier: "We have history, so why wouldn't that be the fight?"
Option 2: Song Yadong, the one who's earned it
- He lost to O'Malley in January, but then won two straight, both inside the distance.
- In May he submitted Deiveson Figueiredo in Macau and in August he knocked out Umar Nurmagomedov in the second round in Shanghai.
- He was cageside for Yan's fight and the broadcast pitched him as a possible No. 1 contender.
- Yan, in the cage, made it clear: give him Song Yadong… or King Kong.
And the bombshell: the UFC in Russia?
A Russian reporter asked Dana White whether the UFC would return to Russia, where it hasn't held an event since 2019. White admitted they haven't discussed it, but added: "we probably should." Yan took the chance to pitch his hometown, Yekaterinburg, where he says there's a new arena for 12,000 to 13,000 fans. No plans have been announced.
Who should be next?
The O'Malley rematch has history and sells; Song Yadong has the streak and the sporting merit. The UFC hasn't announced anything yet.
Frequently asked questions
Who does Petr Yan fight after UFC 333?
It hasn't been announced. Dana White said the candidates are Sean O'Malley and Song Yadong.
Will there be a Petr Yan vs. O'Malley rematch?
It's one of the two options. O'Malley beat him by split decision at UFC 280 (2022) and is publicly asking for it, and Yan has said they have history. The UFC hasn't confirmed it.
How has Song Yadong done in 2026?
He lost to O'Malley in January, submitted Deiveson Figueiredo in May and knocked out Umar Nurmagomedov in August.
How did Petr Yan beat Merab at UFC 333?
By unanimous decision, 48-47 on all three cards, after five rounds. He kept the bantamweight title.
Will the UFC hold an event in Russia?
Nothing has been announced. Dana White said they haven't discussed it, but that they "probably should." Petr Yan pitched Yekaterinburg, his hometown.
Is Petr Yan the greatest bantamweight ever?
Dana White said it would be very difficult to say no, after his second win over Merab Dvalishvili.
