That’s what happened at the IBA Night of Champions event at Agenda Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, when former featherweight and lightweight UFC champion Conor McGregor came face-to-face with the much smaller former bantamweight Petr Yan.
Aside from looking to create a moment for the internet to enjoy, it’s unclear exactly why the pair of former UFC champions were brought into the ring to face off, but it happened. The president of the IBA Umar Kremlev oversaw the faceoff while holding up an IBA world championship belt.
Check out video of the faceoff below:
Conor McGregor and Petr Yan faceoff in Dubai 😂 pic.twitter.com/Kn8e3g1iZy
— Full Combat (@fullcombatoff) December 9, 2023
McGregor kept his intense demeanor for a few seconds, but when a microphone was placed between the two, things turned jovial. A few playful words were exchanged and the two shook hands and shared a laugh.
McGregor has long been rumored to be on a collision course with rival coach of “The Ultimate Fighter” Michael Chandler. “The Notorious” last competed at UFC 264 in a trilogy against Dustin Poirier, where McGregor broke his ankle after the first round.
Yan has not competed since his third consecutive setback in a decision loss to Merab Dvalishvili in March, and does not currently have a fight officially announced.
