Oleg Taktarov, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter, offered strategic counsel to Petr Yan ahead of Yan’s upcoming clash with Aljamain Sterling. The Russian veteran told Yan that the ultimate goal is to secure a win, not to chase a flashy performance. He warned that when both fighters are highly motivated, the likelihood of errors increases, and Sterling should not be underestimated. Taktarov emphasized that Sterling is a tough opponent who should not be dismissed as an easy mark, even if the first encounter suggested otherwise.
The bout is scheduled for the night of April 10. Yan previously faced Sterling in March 2021, a fight that ended with Yan losing his title by disqualification. In that fourth round, Yan landed an illegal strike that led to the defeat and the stripping of his belt. Later, Yan captured the interim UFC title by defeating American Corey Sandhagen via unanimous decision in October. In official UFC rankings, the Russian sits ninth among the best fighters, regardless of weight class.
Pavel Gordeev, a former competitor from the Archangel Michael club, shared his thoughts on Petr Yan. Gordeev suggested that Yan, as the interim UFC belt holder, could find himself in a rapid title showdown against the promotion’s champion, Aljamain Sterling, should the plan go as expected. The commentary reflects a growing consensus that Yan remains in prime form and is poised to challenge Sterling again for the crown.