Before Petr Yan steps into the Octagon for his rematch against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323, debates about his background have resurfaced online. Some fans insist his surname sounds Chinese. Others argue he represents Russia through and through. But how much of that chatter is based on fact, and how much is just guesswork fueled by social media arguments?

What makes the conversation even more interesting is that Yan himself has acknowledged his complex family roots while also facing online hate because of them. So what’s the real story? Is Petr Yan Chinese, Russian, or something in between? Let’s break down his heritage piece by piece.

Where does Petr Yan come from? Nationality, ancestry, and understanding his paternal Chinese grandfather

Born in the small Arctic town of Dudinka, in Krasnoyarsk Krai, Russia, Petr Yan holds Russian nationality. But his heritage tells a more complex story.

Yan’s father comes from a mixed background; his paternal grandfather was Chinese, while his grandmother was of Georgian-Russian descent. His mother is fully Russian. This makes Petr Yan part Chinese and part Russian by ethnicity.

Growing up, Yan didn’t have an easy road. He often got into fights in school and on the streets. His family even moved around to stop him from getting into trouble. But nothing worked until he found combat sports. His older brother trained in boxing, and though reluctant at first, eventually became Yan’s inspiration. The boy who would later be known as ‘No Mercy’ secretly followed him to the gym, fell in love with the sport, and never looked back.

He trained in boxing for eight years and earned the rank of Master of Sport in the 64kg weight class. Later, he pursued academics too, graduating from Siberian Federal University in Omsk with a degree in Physical Culture and Sport. However, while Yan wears the Russian flag with pride, his Chinese ancestry sparked controversy when online trolls crossed the line.

Why was Petr Yan involved in a controversy over his heritage?

In 2020, Petr Yan became the center of an unexpected storm, not in the cage, but online. A Russian Orthodox Christian and self-described patriot, Yan posted a clip of a controversial Russian speaker on Instagram. The video touched on sensitive topics about migrants in Russia. While Yan captioned it “Powerful speech,” it didn’t sit well with everyone.

That’s when Iranian MMA fighter Mohammad Heibati jumped in with racial abuse. He mocked Yan’s Chinese heritage, calling him “a Chinese” and throwing in derogatory emojis. The trash talk escalated quickly. Heibati even shared an edited image of Yan’s face with narrow eyes and a straw hat, calling him a “Chinese patriot.”

Heibati, who trained in Dagestan, crossed several lines, not just with Yan, but with another Russian fighter, Alexander Shlemenko. While Shlemenko stayed quiet, Yan didn’t hold back. He fired back with, “Why are you making noise over there? Do you think you are so f—- clever?”

The online spat exploded. DagFighter gym, where Heibati trained, released a statement distancing itself from the controversial statements of Heibati. They kicked him out and reaffirmed their respect for both Yan and Shlemenko. Other fighters from Dagestan also came forward, challenging Heibati and standing up for Petr Yan. So, with all that noise about where he comes from, how do you even say his name right?

How to pronounce Petr Yan correctly: Russian name guide

It’s a short name, but it still trips up fans. The correct way to pronounce it is Peo-ter Yan. Yan speaks mostly Russian and uses a translator for interviews. While some fighters have poked fun at his English, he’s taken it in stride, often clapping back with clever humor. Over time, his English has noticeably improved.

He trains mainly in Russia but often travels to Thailand, where he works with the renowned Tiger Muay Thai gym in Phuket. As he prepares to face Merab Dvalishvili again at UFC 323, fans may keep debating where he “belongs,” but none of that will matter once the cage door shuts and “No Mercy” goes to work.