Petr Yan was a 5-1 bantamweight prospect when he flew from Russia to Brazil to train at Nova Uniao for a few weeks. Four years later, “No Mercy” is booked to face that team’s biggest star for a UFC title on July 11 in Abu Dhabi.
Aldo was in camp for a UFC 200 rematch with Frankie Edgar when Yan arrived in Rio de Janeiro in May 2016. The Russian, coming off the only loss of his career at the time, was eager to learn from the Brazilian veteran, who also had an unbeaten streak snapped months prior by Conor McGregor.