Merab Dvalishvili has stated that he is prepared to face the current two-time UFC bantamweight champion, Petr Yan, as early as next week. However, Dvalishvili indicates that Yan is not yet ready for a fight.
Following their rematch at UFC 323 last year, where Dvalishvili aimed to secure his fourth title defense within a year, Yan successfully countered Dvalishvili’s strategy. For the full five rounds, Yan, also known as “No Mercy,” withstood Dvalishvili’s intense pressure. He managed to defend takedowns effectively, landed superior strikes, and secured a unanimous decision victory, reclaiming the Georgian fighter’s title.
Merab Dvalishvili is “Patiently Waiting” for Trilogy Clash with Petr Yan
The UFC had initially promised Dvalishvili an immediate rematch for the title after his loss. However, Petr Yan’s recovery from lower back surgery has led to the postponement of their trilogy fight. Even now, Merab Dvalishvili remains uncertain about when this fight will take place. In a recent interview with MMA Fighting, he shared:
“I haven’t heard anything from him [Petr Yan]. He doesn’t seem ready to fight yet. I’m unsure of the current situation. We’ve seen his interviews where he suggested he was ready in June, but the July fight card has already been announced, and they will likely announce the August card soon. They haven’t given me any concrete information. All I know is that I’m slated to fight Yan, but the timing is unknown. It appears Petr is taking his time.”
Despite the uncertainty regarding his next octagon appearance, Merab Dvalishvili emphasized in the same interview that he is maintaining his readiness to fight at any moment. He also expressed his intention to remain active, similar to his previous reign as champion, once he reclaims the title. The 35-year-old fighter added:
“This is the nature of our sport. Sometimes, one has to wait. When I was the champion, I could push the UFC, telling them to keep me busy and schedule fights frequently, and they would do so. Now that I’m not the champion, I have to wait for my opponent. This is how the game works, and I understand the situation. That’s why I was eager to fight often, and I will continue to do so when the opportunity arises. However, at this moment, I unfortunately have to wait for him.”
“I am patiently awaiting Petr Yan. He is taking his time, and we will see when the champion decides to return and face me. I train consistently, regardless of whether a fight is scheduled or not. I always train as if I am preparing for a bout. Honestly, I don’t perceive much difference between being in a training camp or not. I am perpetually ready. If they offered me a fight for next week, I would be prepared.”
