Petr Yan Confident Ahead of UFC 333 Trilogy Bout with Merab Dvalishvili
UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan is ready to face Merab Dvalishvili for the third time this Saturday at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. Their rivalry has been intense, with both fighters claiming victories in their previous two encounters.
The first fight in March 2023 saw Dvalishvili dominate with a decision win while Yan battled through a broken hand. However, Yan returned healthier in December 2025 and reversed the outcome, winning decisively to become a two-time bantamweight champ.
Will Dvalishvili's Busy Schedule Affect His Performance?
Dvalishvili fought four title bouts during his reign in 2025, culminating with the loss to Yan. Since then, Yan has been sidelined by back surgery, delaying his return. On The Ariel Helwani Show, Yan expressed that he wished he could have fought sooner but showed no irritation over debates about Dvalishvili’s preparation for their last match.
"It doesn’t annoy me at all," Yan said through an interpreter. "If he or his fans want to use excuses, we will soon see who the better man is. We have a date less than a week away."
Pre-Fight Words Heat Up
Recently, Dvalishvili stirred the pot by calling Yan rude and saying he needs to be humbled. Yan dismissed those claims, insisting he was just honest and that the real humility came from Dvalishvili after their last fight.
"I wasn’t rude. I was being real. When asked a question and he started making things up, I told him to shut up. Most importantly, he knows that I humbled him," Yan stated.
Reflections on Their Previous Fights
Yan’s loss to Dvalishvili in 2023 was part of a tough three-fight losing streak, but he bounced back strongly with three wins before reclaiming the title. The broken hand he suffered in their first fight was a significant disadvantage, one Yan believes made a difference in their rematch.
"The biggest change was that I could punch him in the second fight, and even he admitted he was broken in round two," Yan explained. "You can say for sure that I humbled him."
Having faced each other twice, both fighters know each other's strategies well. Yan feels prepared to control the fight and repeat his victory.
"We know what to expect from each other after two fights. I know how to counter his moves and believe I can control the fight and beat him again," Yan said confidently.
The trilogy fight marks the first bout of the year for both athletes, setting the stage for another intense battle.
