Petr Yan vs. José Aldo Set for Vacant UFC Bantamweight Title Meeting in July

Mandatory Credit: Zuffa LLC 

A matchup for the vacant UFC bantamweight championship is set for a July event, as streaking challenger Petr 'No Mercy' Yan, takes on former featherweight gold holder, José Aldo 'Jr.' A date, location, or venue for the pairing is yet to be disclosed by the promotion.

Perennial contender, Yan - will make his first Octagon appearance since December, where he finished former WEC featherweight best, Urijah Faber in the third round of their UFC 245 meeting. Aldo, recently made his divisional bow, also at UFC 245 - dropping his second consecutive defeat, this time in a narrow split decision judging against one-time challenger, Marlon Moraes. Aldo was originally scheduled to meet with Henry Cejudo for the title at a postponed UFC 250 card until VISA issues amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic prevented his entry to the United States. News of the matching was initially reported by ESPN reporter, Brett Okamoto.

Russian boxing ace, Yan - was set to headline the promotion's first trip to Kazakhstan on June 13th. against the aforementioned, Moraes in a non-title main event, until the event was relocated. Upon Cejudo's shocking decision to retire from mixed martial arts, promotional president, Dana White explained how an upcoming vacant title meeting, would feature Yan.

The 27-year-old debuted in the promotion back in June of 2018 - scoring an unbeaten six-fight run so far. The former ACB bantamweight best managed a debut knockout victory over Teturo Ishihara - before high-profile triumphs over former two-time flyweight title chaser, John Dodson, 135-pound prospect, Jimmie Rivera, and the aforementioned, 'California Kid' Faber.

As noted above, Manaus icon, Aldo debuted at 135-pounds with a decision defeat to compatriot, Moraes, following a unanimous decision shutout defeat to now featherweight titleholder, Alexander Volkanovski in his home country, back in May of last year. Before the defeat, Aldo had seen a notable resurgence, with victories coming against Jeremy Stephens, and fellow Brazilian, Renato Moicano.

Since his professional bow back in August of 2004 - Aldo has scored major wins over, Frankie Edgar (x2), Urijah Faber, Chan Sung Jung, Kenny Florian, Ricardo Lamas, Chad Mendes (x2), Cub Swanson, Mike Brown, and Mark Hominick.