Petr Yan Confident Ahead of UFC 333 Trilogy Against Merab Dvalishvili

Petr Yan Feels Ready for Third Match with Merab Dvalishvili

Petr Yan is convinced he has the edge over Merab Dvalishvili as they prepare to face off for the third time this Saturday in Abu Dhabi at UFC 333. The bantamweight champion pulled off a major win last year, turning the tables after losing their first fight.

Their rivalry began in March 2023, when Dvalishvili secured a strong decision victory against Yan, who fought with a broken hand. But in December 2025, Yan came back healthy and dominated the rematch, claiming the UFC bantamweight title once again with a decisive decision win.

Questions About Dvalishvili's Activity and Yan's Recovery

There’s speculation about whether Dvalishvili was worn down by his busy schedule, having competed in four title fights during 2025 before losing to Yan. Yan, meanwhile, was sidelined for several months due to surgery on discs in his lower back. Speaking on The Ariel Helwani Show, Yan said he wished he had been able to fight sooner but was not bothered by doubts about Dvalishvili’s preparation.

“It doesn’t annoy me at all,” Yan said through an interpreter. “If he or his fans want to use that as an excuse, soon we’re going to find out. We have a date less than a week away, so we’ll see who is the better man.”

Pre-Fight Tensions and Yan’s Confidence

Dvalishvili recently called Yan rude and suggested he needed to be humbled again. Yan responded by saying he was just honest about their past match and that it was Dvalishvili who had been humbled by defeat.

“I wasn’t rude. I was being real. When asked a question, and he started making things up, I told him to shut up. That’s it. I wasn’t rude at all,” Yan explained. “Most importantly, he knows himself that I humbled him.”

Reflecting on Their Previous Battles

Yan’s loss to Dvalishvili in 2023 was part of a tough stretch where he lost three in a row. He bounced back strongly with three dominant wins leading to his title shot. Yan highlights how the broken hand affected their first fight and how he managed to adjust for their rematch.

“The biggest difference between fights was that I could punch him, and he admitted in interviews that he was broken by the second round,” Yan said. “You can say for sure that I made him humble.”

Having fought twice before, both fighters know each other well. Yan feels prepared to control the fight again and believes he can force Dvalishvili to fight on his terms.

This trilogy fight marks the first UFC bout of the year for both Yan and Dvalishvili.