Yan, O'Malley to collide at UFC 280

Rising star Sean O'Malley is getting a massive step up in competition in his next fight.

O'Malley is set to face former bantamweight champion Petr Yan at UFC 280 on Oct. 22 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, the promotion announced.

O'Malley is coming off a no-contest against Pedro Munhoz earlier in July. O'Malley poked Munhoz in the eye in the second round, and Munhoz couldn't continue.

"Sugar" had won three fights in a row - including knockouts of Raulian Paiva and Thomas Almeida - heading into the Munhoz matchup, which was considered his biggest test to date.

Most recently, Yan challenged Aljamain Sterling for the 135-pound title in April but came up short by split decision. That was a rematch of their controversial first meeting in which Yan lost the title by disqualification. Between the two bouts with Sterling, Yan claimed the interim belt with a unanimous decision win over Cory Sandhagen last October.

"No Mercy" held undisputed gold from July 2020 to March 2021; he finished Jose Aldo for the vacant strap.

UFC 280 will feature Charles Oliveira versus Islam Makhachev for the vacant lightweight title.