Petr Yan vs. Sean O’Malley in the Works for UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi

Though the grade for his most recent step up in competition was incomplete at best, Sean O'Malley will nonetheless see the degree of difficulty increase considerably for his next Octagon appearance.

O’Malley announced on ESPN's DC & RC that he will face former bantamweight champion Petr Yan at UFC 280 in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 22. Both fighters have reportedly verbally agreed to the booking, but contracts haven’t been issued at this time.

"I’m getting the fight that I wanted, and the fight that people want,” O’Malley said. “I’m so excited for this. I almost can’t even believe it’s real, it’s happening.”

UFC 280 takes place at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi and is headlined by a lightweight championship clash pitting Charles Oliveira against Islam Makhachev.

Yan claimed the vacant bantamweight crown with a fifth-round TKO of Jose Aldo at UFC 251 before losing the belt via disqualification against Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259. “No Mercy” rebounded to capture interim gold with a five-round verdict over Cory Sandhagen before falling to Sterling in a rematch at UFC 273 this past April.

O’Malley, meanwhile, is coming off a bout against Pedro Munhoz that ended in a no contest due to an accidental eye poke at UFC 276. “Sugar” seemed to be doing well leading up to the foul, but neither fighter had done anything to establish a clear advantage in the fight. O’Malley is 15-1 as a professional and 7-1 in UFC competition — with his lone setback coming at the hands of Marlon Vera.