Petr Yan Interested in Future Fight vs. Suspended Ex-Champ T.J. Dillashaw

Petr Yan is currently one of the hottest commodities in the UFC’s bantamweight division, but it doesn’t appear as though he’ll be next in line for a title shot.

That will reportedly go to Jose Aldo, who lost a closely-contested split decision against Marlon Moraes in his 135-pound debut at UFC 245. Aldo is rumored to face reigning champion Henry Cejudo in the UFC 250 headliner in Brazil on May 9, though that bout is not official at this point.

Yan, who has been victorious in his first six Octagon appearances, is focused on capturing the belt more than he is a specific opponent.

"There’s no dream fight for me, no desired opponent. My main goal is the belt," Yan recently told RT Sport. "Right now, Cejudo has it. If anyone else has the belt, the name isn’t the main thing. The main thing is the belt itself.”

However, Yan does have his eye on former bantamweight king T.J. Dillashaw. Dillashaw is currently serving a two-year USADA suspension after testing positive for recombinant human erythropoietin (EPO). He will be eligible to return to active competition in January 2021. That’s just fine by Yan.

"I’d be interested in this fight. Ever since I started my career I’ve watched his fights. I like him as a fighter, I think he’s a competitive fighter. So I’d be glad to fight him in the future. And I think it will happen,” Yan said. "It’s just about one year and he’ll be back. He’s a big name, I think he’ll be back to the rankings when he comes back, so I think we’ll fight.”

Yan isn’t especially concerned with Dillashaw’s history, and he is confident the Duane Ludwig protege will be clean if they do eventually come face to face in the Octagon.

"No, I don’t care," he said. "He’s been caught, and he’s not denying it. But as I said, I don’t really care. He’ll be tested more carefully. So on fight night he’ll be clean.”