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

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