TLDR
- Petr Yan will defend his UFC bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi
- Yan recently called Dvalishvili a ‘broken machine’ during an interview with Full Violence
- The fighters are tied 1-1 with Dvalishvili winning in 2023 and Yan reclaiming the title in December 2025
- Yan won the rematch by controlling distance and defending takedowns, winning by unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
- Despite his recent success, Yan says his best performances are still to come
Sources: middleeasy.com | thenationalnews.com | mmasucka.com
Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili will meet for the third time inside the Octagon at UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi. The bantamweight champion recently offered a harsh two-word description of his opponent: “broken machine.”
The comment comes as the two fighters prepare to settle their rivalry once and for all. Yan currently holds the UFC bantamweight title after defeating Dvalishvili by unanimous decision in December 2025.
😤 Coach John Wood believes we’re about to see the best version of Merab Dvalishvili yet ahead of his trilogy with Petr Yan.
“This is a different machine man. I don’t know that he’s ever been in better cardio shape that he is now.
[Merab] is so motivated to get his win back,… pic.twitter.com/PI8o7k3VNj
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) September 28, 2026
The two fighters have already spent 50 minutes battling each other across two previous fights. Dvalishvili won their first meeting in 2023, but Yan evened the score in their second encounter last year.
In the December rematch, Yan captured the bantamweight title with scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 from the judges. The victory made him a two-time UFC bantamweight champion.
How Yan Changed His Strategy
Yan’s second fight against Dvalishvili looked completely different from their first bout. Instead of letting Dvalishvili control the pace with his wrestling, Yan kept his distance and defended takedown attempts.
The champion landed strikes consistently throughout the fight. He controlled the distance and stopped Dvalishvili from implementing his usual high-pressure style.
Dvalishvili has already identified mistakes from their second fight and plans to make adjustments for the trilogy. The former champion is determined to reclaim the belt he lost in December.
Yan made his comments during a recent interview with Full Violence. When asked to describe Dvalishvili in one word, the champion chose “broken machine” instead.
Champion Says Best Is Yet to Come
Despite his recent success, Yan believes he has not reached his peak performance yet. When asked if his victory over Rob Font was the best of his career, Yan disagreed.
“No, I don’t think so,” Yan said. “Every fight is different and you try to do your best, but I believe my best performances is yet to come.”
The statement suggests Yan has more to show when he defends his title in Abu Dhabi. He enters the fight as the champion looking to prove his December victory was not a one-time result.
Dvalishvili earned his nickname “The Machine” for his relentless pace and constant pressure. His style relies on overwhelming opponents with takedown attempts and non-stop movement.
Yan’s ability to neutralize that style in their second fight raised questions about whether Dvalishvili can adjust. The former champion will need to find new ways to break through Yan’s defense.
The bantamweight title and bragging rights are both on the line at UFC 333. With each fighter holding one victory over the other, the trilogy fight will determine who has truly solved the puzzle.
Yan’s confidence heading into the fight reflects his belief that he has found the formula to beat Dvalishvili. If he can stop the pressure for a second straight time, his “broken machine” description may prove accurate.
The UFC 333 event takes place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on October 24. The bantamweight title trilogy between Yan and Dvalishvili is expected to be one of the main attractions on the card.
