Sean O'Malley names Petr Yan the bantamweight GOAT after UFC Vegas 88

Sean O'Malley has crowned Petr Yan the bantamweight GOAT after UFC Vegas 88.

What did O'Malley say?

Sean O'Malley declared Petr Yan the best bantamweight in UFC history on July 12, 2026. The 28-year-old American called Yan's resume "as good as it gets" for the 135-pound division. O'Malley made the remarks during a media session ahead of his own fight at UFC Vegas 88 on July 12, 2026.

Why does this matter for O'Malley?

O'Malley's praise puts Yan in the same conversation as past bantamweight legends like Henry Cejudo and Dominick Cruz. Yan holds a 17-5 UFC record and has beaten top names like Cory Sandhagen and Jimmie Rivera. The GOAT label adds pressure to O'Malley's next move: a win over Yan would cement his own claim at 135 pounds.

What's next for both fighters?

O'Malley fights at UFC Vegas 88 on July 12, 2026, headlining a stacked card. Yan remains a free agent after UFC 303 in May 2026. Dana White has hinted at a Yan-O'Malley trilogy fight if both keep winning. The winner would control the division's future and the next title shot.

How does Yan stack up all-time?

Yan's 17-5 UFC record includes five finishes in his last six fights. He became the first Russian-born UFC champion in 2020 and defended the belt twice. Only Cejudo (15-3) and Cruz (23-8) have longer title reigns at 135. O'Malley, 17-1 with 11 knockouts, needs a statement win to join that tier.