TLDR
- Petr Yan underwent major lumbar surgery weeks after defeating Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323 in December 2025
- Dvalishvili was promised a rematch by the UFC but now faces uncertainty with no fights booked for June or July
- The injury affects other bantamweight contenders including Sean O’Malley and Mario Bautista
- An interim title fight may be created to keep the division moving while Yan recovers
- The UFC has not announced an official timeline for Yan’s return or alternative plans for the division
Sources: EssentiallySports | MMA Fighting | MMA Junkie
UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan underwent major lumbar surgery that has forced the postponement of his guaranteed title fight against Merab Dvalishvili. The injury occurred weeks after Yan’s victory over Dvalishvili at UFC 323 in December 2025.
The UFC had promised Dvalishvili a rematch following his loss to Yan at the December event. Now those plans are on hold indefinitely while Yan recovers from the back surgery.
Dvalishvili shared his frustration about the situation in recent training updates. The fighter had been preparing for a title shot that was expected to take place in June or July 2026.
No fights are currently booked for either Yan or Dvalishvili during that timeframe. The delay leaves the bantamweight division without a clear timeline for when the championship will be defended.
Impact on Other Bantamweight Contenders
The injury affects more than just Dvalishvili’s plans. Other top contenders in the bantamweight division, including Sean O’Malley, are also impacted by the delay.
Mario Bautista recently commented on the situation, expressing his desire to fight Dvalishvili while Yan recovers. Bautista made these remarks during an interview where he discussed potential matchups in the division.
The extended recovery period for Yan could lead to the creation of an interim bantamweight title. This would allow the division to continue moving forward while the champion heals from his surgery.
Lumbar surgery typically requires several months of recovery time before a fighter can return to training. The exact timeline for Yan’s return has not been officially announced by the UFC.
What Happens Next for the Division
The UFC has not made any public statements about creating an interim title or booking alternative fights. The organization will need to decide soon whether to wait for Yan’s recovery or move forward with other plans.
Dvalishvili’s situation is particularly difficult because he was guaranteed a title shot by UFC officials. He now faces uncertainty about when he will get his opportunity to fight for the championship.
O’Malley and other contenders may now be in line for opportunities they wouldn’t have had otherwise. The UFC could choose to book these fighters against each other while Yan recovers.
Yan won the title by defeating Dvalishvili at UFC 323, which took place in December 2025. The fight was a competitive matchup that many fans expected to see run back quickly.
The bantamweight division has been one of the most active weight classes in the UFC. This injury represents the first major disruption to the title picture since Yan captured the championship.
Dvalishvili has not announced any alternative fight plans while he waits for Yan to recover from the lumbar surgery.
