Petr Yan after his win over Cory Sandhagen
Russian UFC bantamweight fighter Petr Yan’s entire corner’s visa application to the USA has been cancelled, ahead of his UFC 273 clash against Aljamain Sterling
UFC 273 in April will be co-headlined by a bantamweight rematch between Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling. The pair had earlier met at UFC 259 and Yan lost his belt by disqualification. The rematch would be one year in the making as they are set to lock horns again.
However, reports have emerged that Petr Yan’s entire team that corners him during fights has been denied an entry inside USA. Amidst the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia, and tension surrounding international political affairs- Russian fighters are suffering a great deal.
The news was first reported by Igor Lazonin from the Russian Tass Agency that stated,
‘ Per Igor Lazonin from Russian Tass Agency, Visa request of all corners of Petr Yan was denied from US Government. Yan have 3 years US visa and can enter in United States to #UFC273‘
The news is extremely perturbing, considering the role each and every cornerman plays leading up the fight. From cutting weight, to warming up pre-fight and protecting the fighters during the actual fight, it will be a rather difficult outing for Petr Yan.
Labelled by Jorge Masvidal as a ‘ cold-blooded computer’, Petr Yan has built a reputation for himself as a calculated assassin. His confidence inside the octagon is by the virtue of his talented coaches, and their intransigent training regime.
However as reports emerged that his cornerman have been denied entry in the USA for UFC 273, several names were being popped as a replacement to support Yan. One name amongst many were of the former UFC lightweight champion and soon-to-be Hall of Fame inductee, Khabib Nurmagomedov.
Khabib has been on hard-pressed coaching duties ever since he retired from the sport, and the idea is quite intriguing given the fight IQ he possesses. Igor Lazonin from Russian TASS agency first made the suggestion.
Whether Yan seeks the service of Khabib, and whether the ‘Dagestani’ accepts his requisition is something which will unfold over the course of time.
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