Petr Yan turned down a rematch against Sean O'Malley, the UFC bantamweight champion revealed.
## What happened?
O'Malley and Yan first met at UFC 280 in October 2022, with O'Malley winning by a controversial split decision.
The two fighters were set to meet again, but Yan declined the rematch.
O'Malley will now face Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Freedom 250.
## Why it matters for Petr Yan
Yan had back surgery in January following his UFC 323 victory over Merab Dvalishvili, and there is no definitive timeline for his return to the Octagon.
Yan's decision to decline the rematch has sparked speculation about his next title defense.
## What comes next?
O'Malley is currently a -375 betting favorite against Zahabi, who is on a seven-fight win streak.
The winner of the bout could be in line for a title shot against Yan.
O'Malley is not taking Zahabi lightly, despite the lopsided odds.
Zahabi's kickboxer-style will provide a challenging and exciting matchup for O'Malley.
UFC Freedom 250 takes place on Sunday, June 14, live on CBS and Paramount+.
The event is headlined by UFC lightweight champion Ilia Topuria going against interim champion Justin Gaethje.
O'Malley's fight against Zahabi is a crucial matchup in the bantamweight division.
Yan's return to the Octagon is highly anticipated, with fans hoping he can fight again this summer.
O'Malley's claim that Yan turned down the rematch has added fuel to the rivalry between the two fighters.
The UFC bantamweight division is one of the most competitive in the sport, with several top contenders vying for a title shot.
O'Malley's victory over Yan at UFC 280 was a controversial one, with many feeling that Yan did enough to win.
The rematch would have been a highly anticipated bout, but Yan's decision to decline has left fans wondering what's next.
Yan's first title defense is expected to be a big one, with several top contenders in the running.
The UFC Freedom 250 event will be a significant one for the bantamweight division, with several key matchups on the card.
O'Malley's fight against Zahabi is just one of several exciting bouts scheduled for the event.
The winner of the bout will be one step closer to a title shot against Yan.
Yan's return to the Octagon will be a highly anticipated one, with fans eager to see him back in action.
The UFC bantamweight division is full of talented fighters, and the next few months will be crucial in determining the top contenders.
O'Malley's claim that Yan turned down the rematch has sparked a lot of debate among fans and pundits.
The rivalry between O'Malley and Yan is one of the most intriguing in the sport, and fans are eager to see them meet again in the Octagon.
The UFC Freedom 250 event will be a significant one for the sport, with several key matchups and storylines on the card.