Former UFC champion Petr Yan is well prepared to right the wrongs from his loss to Merab Dvalishvili and reclaim the bantamweight throne.
Yan and Dvalishvili have both been on phenomenal rolls since their March 2023 clash. In what was a record-setting performance for Dvalishvili, who won a unanimous decision and attempted an all-time high 49 takedown attempts, he springboarded off the win to start his UFC title reign at 135 pounds. Meanwhile, Yan has won three straight and re-emerged as a title threat for the first time since he was champion in 2021.
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At UFC 320 this past Saturday, Dvalishvili added a third straight title defense to his resume in 2025, defeating Cory Sandhagen. He now hopes to secure what would be a record fourth defense in one year by turning around to fight in December. Ideally, Dvalishvili and Yan both like the idea of their rematch as the fight to make, and “No Mercy” believes it could happen.
“I think it’s possible if he doesn’t have any injuries,” Yan told Uncrowned on Tuesday’s “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “He’s the one who’s been pushing for it. If it lines up with UFC’s plans, I believe it’s possible.
“I’ve been waiting for this chance, and I’m ready to fight in December. I believe it’s going to be a great fight. We have a history. Last time I was compromised, I was at 50%, so this time it will be something different. It will be a great and exciting fight.”
Yan, 32, was dealt his third consecutive loss when confronted with “The Machine” two years ago. At the time, something appeared off with the Russian bantamweight staple, as he’d only lost twice in his 18-fight career before that stretch.
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Ultimately, Yan thinks a sequel showdown would unfold differently after he survived five rounds with a broken hand against the arguable all-time great 135-pounder. Regardless of the injury’s severity, Yan refused to withdraw.
“If you just look at the stats of our previous fight, you can see that I only used my right hand maybe like three or four times,’ Yan said. “I couldn’t punch with my right hand. I couldn’t use it to defend the wrestling. It’s just facts. If you compare it to my different fights, that’s the hand I use the most.
“I never really turn down any fights. I’ve many times competed injured. I cannot say that I don’t regret it, but now at least I have an opportunity to win the rematch.”
Since the pair’s first encounter, Dvalishvili has notably improved by leaps and bounds, finishing Sean O’Malley by submission and outlasting the previously undefeated Umar Nurmagomedov. In his latest triumph over Sandhagen, Dvalishvili added yet another wrinkle to his arsenal, nearly becoming the first to stop Sandhagen with strikes.
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Despite the champion’s continued — and seemingly never-ending — dominance, Yan isn’t overly impressed, and fully intends to make good on his desired rematch.
“To be able to knock someone out, you have to be able to land very accurate and then finish properly,” Yan said of Dvalishvili’s near-knockout. “But this time, it wasn’t a really accurate shot, and then the ground and pound also wasn’t too much effective.
“I want to show all MMA fans a great and tough fight, as I always try to do. I believe it’s going to be a really exciting one.”
