Former UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan won a thrilling battle of former champions in the main event of UFC Macau at Galaxy Arena on Saturday.

Yan handed a unanimous decision defeat to former UFC men’s flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo (50-45 x3), sweeping every round of the Brazilian. As lopsided as the scorecards were in Yan’s favor, the fight was anything but easy for the Russian-Chinese bantamweight.

Figueiredo had his moments. He started the fight securing top position and held it for almost a minute before Yan reversed him and inflicted more damage.

In the fourth round, which I scored for Figueiredo, the Brazilian seemed to land the better shots. Nonetheless, Yan was the rightful winner of the fight.

His offensive and defensive struggle and pace were the main factors. Yan’s diverse attack, ranging from a powerful uppercut to a few well-timed kicks, seemed to keep Figueiredo off-balance and in retreat.

Yan’s all-around MMA game was also on full display. Even when Figueiredo managed to get a takedown, Yan worked perfectly to get back up and regain control.

Neither man seemed to tire much as the rigorous fight lasted five rounds, but Yan never seemed to show any weakness. This show of determination included a hard shot from the Brazilian late in the fight.

A less conditioned fighter might have folded under that punch. The win puts Yan on a two-fight win streak and places him firmly back in the picture for an opportunity to regain the bantamweight title.

After the fight, several people took to social media to express their appreciation for the fight and Yan’s performance, including reigning bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili.

Dvalishvili beat Yan by unanimous decision in March 2023. It may be too early for a rematch. Instead, a rematch between Yan and Sean O’Malley makes more sense. Yan lost a split decision to O’Malley in October 2022.

UFC Macau Co-Main Event: Yan Xiaonan dominates Tabatha Ricci

In the co-main event, Yan Xiaonan proved that there is a huge difference between No. 2 and No. 10 in the women’s strawweight division. The former Chinese title challenger dominated Tabatha Ricci in all three rounds to earn a lopsided unanimous decision victory (30-27 x3).

Here’s a look at all the results from Macau with highlights from each finish, including bonus winners.

• Yan Xiaonan defeats Tabatha Ricci by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Muslim Salikhov defeats Song Kenan by KO (spinning wheel kick) at 3:49 of the first round

Spinning wheel kick knockouts are rare, but Salikhov delivered one that earned him a performance of the night bonus.

• Gabriella Fernandes defeats Wang Cong by technical submission (rear naked choke) at 3:49 of round two

Fernandes pulled off a major upset, dropping Wang with a huge straight right hand before securing the rear-naked choke to put his opponent to sleep. Fernandes won one of the bonuses.

• Carlos Ulberg defeats Volkan Oezdemir by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• Zhang Mingyang defeats Ozzy Diaz by TKO (elbow and punches) at 2:25 of the first round

Mingyang’s elbow dropped Diaz and led to an explosive finish. The rising light heavyweight looks like a serious contender at 205 pounds. Mingyang was another fighter awarded a bonus for his victory.

• SuYoung You defeats Baergeng Jieleysi by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
• DongHun Choi defeats Kiru Sahota by KO (right hook) at 2:36 of the first round

Choi’s huge right hand secured a dramatic knockout victory, earning him a UFC contract.

• Shi Ming defeats Feng Xiaocan by KO (head kick) at 0:46 of Round 3

This ending was scary. Ming caught Xiaocan in the face with a head kick to the right leg. Xiaocan was absent before hitting the canvas. Ming’s devastating head kick KO had such an impact that Xiaocan was kicked out of the Octagon.

Ming earned a bonus for his victory.

• Carlos Hernandez defeats Nyamjargal Tumendemberel by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
• Lone’er Kavanagh defeats Jose Ochoa by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
• Xiao Long defeats Quang Le by KO (strikes) at 1:28 of Round 3

Long showed impressive power in his UFC debut, making him a potential name to watch in the bantamweight division.

• Nikolas Motta defeats Maheshate by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)