Georgian fighter Merab Dvalishvili challenges Petr Yan in UFC 333 trilogy
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The gist
Georgian UFC fighter Merab Dvalishvili is set to challenge Petr Yan for the bantamweight title at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi.
Dvalishvili has lost the belt to Yan once and says a win matters more than the title.
Background
Merab Dvalishvili is a Georgian UFC fighter nicknamed "The Machine," a former bantamweight champion with a 21-5 record. Petr Yan is the Russian bantamweight champion and a two-time titleholder who has now faced Dvalishvili twice. The two first met in 2023, when Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision, and Yan took the rematch and the belt in December 2025. Dvalishvili has not fought since that loss and now gets a third meeting, with the title on the line.
How it unfolded
- Mar 2023Dvalishvili defeated Yan by unanimous decision in their first meeting, attempting 49 takedowns and completing 11.
- Jan 2025Dvalishvili defended his title for the first time, beating Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311.
- Jun 2025Dvalishvili submitted former champion Sean O'Malley in a rematch at UFC 316.
- Oct 4, 2025Dvalishvili wrestled Cory Sandhagen in a bantamweight title fight at UFC 320 in Las Vegas.
- Dec 6, 2025Yan defeated Dvalishvili by unanimous decision at UFC 323 in Las Vegas, reclaiming the bantamweight championship; Yan stopped 27 of Dvalishvili's 29 takedown attempts.
- Jan 2026Yan underwent major back surgery following his win over Dvalishvili.
- Apr 2026Dvalishvili broke his nose when kneed during sparring; the injury was reaggravated in a wrestling match against UFC legend Frankie Edgar.
- Oct 18, 2026Dvalishvili said he added a new wrestling coach named Jessie and new details for the Yan fight.
- Oct 21, 2026At UFC 333 media day in Abu Dhabi, Dvalishvili said a win over Yan means more than the belt; his coach Ray Longo said on a podcast that Dvalishvili's nose isn't fixed and he chose not to have it fixed before the fight.
- Oct 22, 2026Dvalishvili revealed he has cut 7 kg (15 lbs) and has 5 kg (11 lbs) left, targeting a 12-kilogram (26.4-pound) reduction ahead of UFC 333.
- Oct 24, 2026Dvalishvili is scheduled to challenge Petr Yan in a trilogy bout at UFC 333 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, with the bantamweight title at stake.
Who’s saying what
- Bulls
- Dvalishvili says he is "much better" than Yan, has a different strategy focused away from takedowns, and promises "domination" this time.
- Caution
- Head coach Ray Longo says Dvalishvili's nose isn't fixed and will likely bleed when he gets hit, noting he chose not to have it repaired before the fight.
- Party
- Yan says he is "100 per cent ready to fight" and has "figured out" Dvalishvili ahead of the third meeting.
- Expert
- Former champion Sean O'Malley believes Yan made a mistake taking the fight and needs more time to recover.
Still unverified
Sean O'Malley claimed Yan needs more time to recover from his January back surgery; Yan rejected that, saying he is 100 per cent ready.