Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan was filmed sparring in the street with young boxer Misha Semenov, drawing little reaction from passersby. At the end of the session, when the youngsters asked for a photo, coach Ilyas Khamzin told them they had to earn it through sparring.
Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan took his training outside recently, appearing in a video that showed him sparring in the street with young boxer Misha Semenov, drawing little more than a passing glance from people nearby.
Yan, nicknamed "No Mercy," holds a 20-5-0 professional record and currently stands as the UFC bantamweight champion at 33 years old. The Russian fighter, who trains out of Archangel Michael Club, is one of the most technically complete strikers in the division. Fighting out of a switch stance, he lands 5.12 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent striking accuracy rate — figures that place him among the most efficient bantamweights on the roster. At 170 cm tall with a 170 cm reach, he complements his striking with a steady grappling game, averaging 1.58 takedowns per 15 minutes.
The informal session had an added moment at the end. When young onlookers asked for a photo with the champion, coach Ilyas Khamzin told them they would have to earn it first — by getting through a sparring round themselves.
Why it matters
- Yan taking his sparring into a public setting highlights the grassroots culture around combat sports in Russia
- The involvement of coach Ilyas Khamzin and the Archangel Michael Club underlines the team environment surrounding the champion during what appears to be an active training period
- The clip, while lighthearted, keeps Yan visible and engaged as he holds championship status at 135 pounds
