Petr Yan is making strides towards his comeback. The reigning UFC bantamweight champion recently had back surgery, aiming to reclaim his position at the top of the division.

This division is buzzing post-UFC 324, where contenders Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov emerged victorious, while former title holder Merab Dvalishvili is seeking a rematch. The division remains stagnant without its king. Recently, Yan shared an update on his Instagram story, stating:

“Don’t lose me. I’m in rehab for a few months.”

His interpreter, Sergey Nargorny, relayed Yan’s message to CBS Sports, providing insight into Yan’s condition. He underwent a nine-hour lumbar surgery, with expectations for recovery set at a few months. According to health guidelines, standard recovery post-lumbar procedures typically spans four to six weeks before engaging in light activities.

Yan returned to prominence by defeating Dvalishvili at UFC 323 in December, overcoming overlooked predictions. Throughout that fight, Yan exhibited a superior skill set, dominating Dvalishvili, who until then was poised to become a historic title defender.

With three deserving challengers waiting, a trilogy fight with Dvalishvili is possible, as well as matchups with O’Malley and Nurmagomedov, both of whom remain pivotal figures in the bantamweight scenario.