Henry Cejudo Picks Petr Yan as 2025 UFC Male Fighter of the Year

Cejudo's Controversial Choice Sparks Debate Among MMA Fans

Apr. 10, 2026 at 3:12am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a UFC title fight between two fighters, with their forms and movements broken down into sharp, overlapping planes of color and shape, creating a dynamic and abstract visual representation of the action.The fractured, multi-angled depiction of a UFC title fight captures the intensity and drama of the matchup between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili, whose clash for the bantamweight championship sparked debate over the 2025 Fighter of the Year award.Hermann Today

In a bold move, former UFC champion Henry Cejudo has named Petr Yan as his pick for the 2025 UFC Male Fighter of the Year, sparking debate among MMA enthusiasts. Cejudo's decision is based on Yan's impressive title win over the dominant Merab Dvalishvili, which he believes showcases grit and determination.

Why it matters

While many might argue that Merab Dvalishvili's four title defenses this year make him a strong contender, Cejudo disagrees. He emphasizes the quality of Yan's last fight, where he avenged a loss to Dvalishvili and secured the bantamweight title, as the key factor in his selection.

The details

Cejudo's choice is not without controversy, as Yan's win over Dvalishvili might be seen as a fluke or a lucky night. However, he believes that Yan's ability to bounce back and defeat a dominant opponent is what makes him a true champion.

  • In 2025, Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili to win the UFC bantamweight title.

The players

Henry Cejudo

A former UFC champion who is now a podcast host and analyst.

Petr Yan

The current UFC bantamweight champion, known for his impressive title win over Merab Dvalishvili in 2025.

Merab Dvalishvili

A dominant UFC bantamweight contender who held the title for four defenses in 2025 before losing to Petr Yan.

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What they’re saying

“Call me crazy, but the reality is, you're only as good as your last fight. I've got to give it to Petr Yan. What he was able to do, who he fought to get to the title, and then avenge the loss when he got 50-45'd against Merab the first time. To come back and actually beat him, to me, was impressive.”

— Henry Cejudo, Former UFC Champion

The takeaway

Cejudo's choice of Petr Yan as the 2025 UFC Male Fighter of the Year has sparked debate among MMA fans, with some agreeing with his decision and others arguing that Merab Dvalishvili's title defenses make him a stronger contender. The controversy highlights the subjective nature of such awards and the ongoing discussions around who truly deserves the title of the year's best fighter.