UFC Fight Night: Petr Yan vs Marcus McGhee Preview & Prediction
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
12th ranked Marcus McGhee faces the stiffest test of his career to date as he throws down with the former bantamweight champion, Petr Yan.
Petr Yan vs Marcus McGhee facts
What time are Sharabutdin Magomedov and Marc-Andre Barriault expected to walk out?
Where is UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder? Etihad Arena, Abu Dhabi, UAE
Where can I get tickets for UFC on ABC 9: Whittaker vs de Ridder? Click here for the latest ticket information for UFC on ABC 9
What TV channel is UFC on ABC 9 on? UK – TNT Sports / USA – ESPN+ (undercard) & ABC (main card)
Where can I stream UFC on ABC 9? UK – TNT Sports subscribers can stream the event online via the TNT Sports website and discovery+ / USA – ESPN+ & UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs de Ridder main card
Robert Whittaker vs Reinier de Ridder (Middleweight)
Petr Yan vs Marcus McGhee (Bantamweight)
Sharabutdin Magomedov vs Marc-Andre Barriault (Middleweight)
Asu Almabayev vs Jose Ochoa (Flyweight)
Nikita Krylov vs Bogdan Guskov (Light Heavyweight)
UFC Fight Night: Whittaker vs de Ridder prelims
Bryce Mitchell vs Said Nurmagomedov (Bantamweight)
Muslim Salikhov vs Carlos Leal Miranda (Welterweight)
Davey Grant vs Da'Mon Blackshear (Bantamweight)
Amanda Ribas vs Tabatha Ricci (Women’s Strawweight)
Ibo Aslan vs Billy Elekana (Light Heavyweight)
Mohammad Yahya vs Steven Nguyen (Featherweight)
Martin Buday vs Marcus Buchecha (Heavyweight)
Petr Yan: “No Mercy” aims to secure the next title shot at 135 pounds
Widely regarded as one of the most technically skilled bantamweights in MMA history, few contenders boast a tool-bag as deep as Petr Yan (18-5). Claiming the bantamweight strap against Jose Aldo at UFC 251, Yan looked set to dominate the division for years, only to lose the title via DQ against Aljamain Sterling in his first defense. However, despite running into a brutal three fight skid after coming up short against the aforementioned Sterling in a rematch, “No Mercy” has since rebounded with vintage performances against Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo to reinsert his name into the title picture.
Marcus McGhee: McGhee looks to score the biggest win of his career to date
Boasting a flawless 4-0 run in the UFC since debuting in April 2023, Marcus McGhee (10-1) has swiftly announced himself as one of the most exciting additions to the UFC’s bantamweight division in recent memory. A ruthless finisher with legitimate dynamite in his fists, McGhee has brutalized the majority of his UFC competition to date, with three vicious stoppages garnering him a trio of Performance of the Night awards in his first three appearances. The American was last seen at UFC 309, surviving a hairy final round to take home a hard-fought decision victory against Jonathan Martinez.
Petr Yan vs Marcus McGhee prediction
On paper, this one shouldn’t even be close.
McGhee is a wrecking ball of physicality at 135 pounds, but this is an astronomical step up in competition from his last opponent. It’s also worth noting that the leg kicks of the aforementioned Martinez had “The Maniac” in serious trouble during the final stages of their contest, a concerning sign when faced with a fighter of Yan’s pedigree and finishing potential.
The terrifying mystique of “No Mercy” may have faded somewhat in light of his more recent setbacks, but he’s still a ferociously talented fighter who has only ever lost to the absolute upper echelon of the division. A notorious slow starter, the Russian may very well drop the first frame in order to make his reads, before slowly but surely taking over the contest as it progresses into the later rounds.
The safe bet is that the former champion utilizes his exemplary striking and criminally underrated grappling game to outclass McGhee across three rounds, potentially even earning a late stoppage. The American will have his moments, but Yan produces a decisive victory here to underline his credentials as a perennial top contender.
Prediction: Petr Yan to win
