Ricky Simon wants former UFC champ Petr Yan next: 'I heard you decided not to retire'

If Petr Yan is going to return to UFC competition in 2023, then Ricky Simon wants to be standing across the octagon.

Simon (20-3 MMA, 8-2 UFC), who is a winner of his past five fights and has lost just twice in his past 15 bouts overall, has been itching for a step up in competition to break through into the title picture in the bantamweight division.

With many of the other highly ranked names booked or unavailable, Simon sees former UFC champ Yan (16-4 MMA, 8-3UFC) as a logical opponent, especially if he opts against the rumors of retirement.

Simon laid out his case on social media (via Instagram):

@petr_yan I heard you decided not to retire. Let’s give the fans what they want! @danawhite @ufc @seanshelby @jasonkhouse @paniniamerica @iridiumsportsagency Like + Tag a friend to win a Petr Yan Panini card
Merry Christmas

Although Yan, 29, hasn’t spoken directly about the issue, there’s been talk on social media that he considered pulling the plug on his fighting career out of frustration after coming out on the wrong end of a controversial decision loss to Sean O’Malley at UFC 280 in October.

The Russian former titleholder has lost three of his past four overall, with a pair of championship losses to Aljamain Sterling sandwiching a decision nod over Cory Sandhagen.