Petr Yan receives medal from Russian president Vladimir Putin | Video

UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan was presented with a prestigious honor by Russian president Vladimir Putin on Wednesday in Moscow.

The two-time UFC bantamweight titleholder was awarded the "For Merit to the Fatherland" medal during a ceremony inside the Kremlin. The medal is given for outstanding contributions to the state, economy, science, culture, or defense and features a crowned double-headed eagle. It can be awarded to both civilians and military personnel.

Yan won back the UFC 135-pound championship last December at UFC 323, defeating Merab Dvalishvili in a rematch. "No Mercy" is recovering from surgery and is expected to face Dvalishvili in a trilogy match when he returns.

🇷🇺 Petr Yan was awarded a medal "For Merit to the Fatherland" by Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin today 🥇 pic.twitter.com/6TUf1reuFu

— Championship Rounds (@ChampRDS) April 22, 2026

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This story was originally published April 23, 2026 at 1:04 AM.