Overview
- Sean O’Malley publicly called Petr Yan the greatest 135-pound fighter on the 'One Night with Steiny' podcast and praised Yan’s all-around skill.
- Yan reclaimed the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 323 in December 2025 and has not fought since undergoing back surgery.
- O’Malley has rebuilt title momentum with wins over Song Yadong and a knockout of Aiemann Zahabi, putting him back in contention for a shot at the belt.
- Matchmaking choices now center on a Yan–Merab Dvalishvili trilogy that many see as deserved or a high-profile Yan–O’Malley rematch that would likely draw larger audiences.
- The public shift in the GOAT debate could influence UFC booking and fighter legacies once Yan's recovery timeline is confirmed and the promotion sets the next title path.