Sarvarjon Hamidov, one of the top bantamweights in MMA, returned from a year-long layoff and defeated Justin Wetzel at PFL San Diego. The fighter discussed his training camps alongside Petr Yan and Movsar Evloev, as well as a potential rematch with Magomed Magomedov.
Sarvarjon Hamidov made a successful return to the PFL cage at PFL San Diego, defeating Justin Wetzel after more than a year on the sidelines. Following the victory, the bantamweight prospect spoke openly about his training environment and flagged a potential rematch with Magomed Magomedov as a target for his next fight.
Hamidov, widely regarded as one of the sharper talents in the 135-pound division, used his time away from competition to embed himself with elite training partners. He specifically cited work alongside Petr Yan and Movsar Evloev as central to his camp preparation — two fighters who bring considerable pedigree to the gym floor.
Yan, known as "No Mercy," holds a 20-5 record and currently carries champion status in the bantamweight division. The 33-year-old Russian trains out of Archangel Michael Club and is one of the sport's more complete strikers, landing 5.12 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent accuracy rate. Evloev, meanwhile, is undefeated at 20-0 and ranked first in the featherweight division. The 32-year-old, who trains out of American Top Team, averages 4.78 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside solid striking output of 3.91 significant strikes per minute.
The proposed rematch with Magomedov adds an intriguing subplot. The 33-year-old Russian, nicknamed "TIGER," carries a 21-5 record and posts a striking accuracy figure of 63.4 percent — among the higher rates in the sport — though his overall output sits at just 0.65 significant strikes per minute, suggesting a measured, selective approach inside the cage.
Why it matters
- Hamidov's return win keeps him relevant in a competitive bantamweight landscape
- Regular sparring with a champion-level fighter in Yan points to a camp built for high-level competition
- A Magomedov rematch would pit two contrasting styles against each other, with Magomedov's precision striking facing whatever improvements Hamidov has made during his layoff
