Interim UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan, may not have his usual cage side support fly to the United States when he takes on full champion Aljamain Sterling at UFC 273 next month as the Russian mixed martial artist’s cornermen are reportedly having issues with getting visa in the wake of the Russia vs Ukraine conflict.
Khabib Nurmagomedov may arrive as the cageside support for Petr Yan at UFC 273
Bruno Massami of Gazeta Esportiva stated on Twitter that Yan’s situation was reported by Igor Lazonin from Russian Tass Agency. While Petr Yan has three years of US visa and can still enter the US to head for UFC 273 on 9th April at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida, his cornermen are not being granted visas by the country and may miss making it to the fight.
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
— Bruno Massami (Бруно Массами) (@BrMassami) March 15, 2022
However, Lazonin also claimed that in case Yan doesn’t see the presence of his cornermen as he takes on Sterling in the much awaited rematch and the bantamweight title unification, former UFC lightweight kind Khabib Nurmagomedov might be present cage side at the event to support his compatriot.
Petr Yan and Aljamain Sterling had their first encounter back in March last year at UFC 259 when Yan was the reigning Bantamweight champion. However, the Russian lost the fight as well as his title by disqualification in the fourth round due to an illegal knee, making Sterling the new bantamweight champion. Yan returned to action seven months later at UFC 267 against Cory Sandhagen and won the interim bantamweight title via unanimous decision.
Petr Yan had earlier faced visa and travel issues prior to facing Aljamain Sterling, which was originally going to be the co-main event of UFC 256 and it was later rescheduled to UFC 259.
Highlights:
- Interim UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan may not have his Russian cornermen when he faces Aljamain Sterling at UFC 273 due to visa issues
- Khabib Nurmagomedov will reportedly be Yan’s cage side support at UFC 273
