LAS VEGAS – Petr Yan knows it won’t be easy to put Urijah Faber away.
But the hard-hitting Russian powerhouse is confident he’ll be able to showcase his fight-ending abilities Saturday night.
Yan (13-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC) opens up the main card when he takes on Faber (35-10 MMA, 11-6 UFC) at UFC 245, which takes place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN2 and early prelims on UFC Fight Pass/ESPN+.
“I know he’s a tough guy. He’s experienced. But I know I’m better than him,” Yan told MMA Junkie at Thursday’s UFC 245 media day. “I’m a better fighter than him, I’m younger, and I’m ready to show an exciting performance. I know it’s going to be tough to knock him out because Faber’s got two chins. But I think I’m going to do it.”
Faber returned to the bantamweight picture with a bang after a two and a half year layoff from the sport. He took out Ricky Simon in less than a minute in July and finds himself taking on a surging top-ranked contender in Yan.
Yan hopes a win over the four-time UFC bantamweight title challenger puts him next in line for a shot at 135-pound gold. That title currently is held by Henry Cejudo, who also owns the flyweight belt.
“I really hope this a No. 1 contender fight, and I think my fights and my performance speaks for itself,” Yan said. “I had five wins inside one year, and I think this win should secure me a title fight.
“I think Henry needs to polish his belts for me. I’m coming for them.”
