Good News for Merab Dvalishvili as Title Rematch Against Petr Yan is in Consideration

Merab Dvalishvili talks about a potential 2026 trilogy fight with Petr Yan after losing the title at UFC 323.

Good News for Merab Dvalishvili as Title Rematch Against Petr Yan is in Consideration

Merab Dvalishvili confirms Petr Yan rematch (via MMA Fighting, BJ Penn)

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Merab Dvalishvili has built his career as one of the most dominant bantamweights in UFC history, establishing a championship run defined by pressure, pace, and consistency. His 2025 season elevated him into all-time discussions at 135 pounds. After losing the title at UFC 323, he recently addressed the possibility of a trilogy bout against Petr Yan.

At UFC 323, Yan delivered a convincing performance and secured a unanimous decision victory. He controlled long stretches of the fight with sharp striking and steady pressure. Yan’s ability to consistently defend takedowns disrupted the former champion’s typical grappling-heavy plan. His work on the feet created a clear separation on the scorecards with (49-46, 49-46, 48-47).

Dvalishvili entered their rematch after making three successful title defenses in 2025, a rare feat in the division’s history. His victories over elite contenders across that year strengthened his championship résumé. Following the loss at UFC 323, he discussed the rematch openly as part of his plan to return to title contention. Those comments naturally steered attention toward what may follow in 2026.

The UFC contacted me and said, ‘Please rest as long as you want. Your next fight is a rematch with Petr Yan for the belt. Rest as long as you want and call us when you’re ready.’ They probably want to do the fight in the summer, but I don’t want to wait until the summer. I want to schedule the fight early, maybe in the spring, in April will be good, or maybe the fight can be scheduled in the summer.

Merab Dvalishvili via MMA Pros Pick

The rivalry now stands at one win each, creating a balanced competitive history between the two bantamweights. Their first fight, held before Dvalishvili became champion, saw him prevail through sustained pressure and extended grappling control. That victory played a key role in propelling him toward his title run. Yan’s more recent success at UFC 323 reset the matchup dynamic entirely.

Ahead of UFC 323, Yan had stated that an injury had affected him during their first meeting, making it a long-standing point of discussion entering their second fight. This detail became part of the competitive narrative between the two athletes. It framed the rematch as an opportunity for a definitive outcome. Yan’s win added further context to the claims surrounding their initial bout.

The aftermath saw a significant reshuffle in the UFC’s pound-for-pound rankings, with Yan rising to No. 6 and Dvalishvili falling from No. 3 to No. 8. These movements reflect the significance of their UFC 323 result and its impact on the broader divisional standings. A trilogy would therefore carry heightened stakes, potentially shaping the long-term hierarchy of the bantamweight class.

Petr Yan agrees to give Merab Dvalishvili the trilogy fight

Before UFC 323, Merab Dvalishvili was aiming to become the first UFC fighter to defend the title four times in a single year. He had already set a major milestone by becoming the first athlete in the promotion to reach 100 career takedowns. His title run featured wins over Sean O’Malley, Umar Nurmagomedov, and Cory Sandhagen. These accomplishments positioned him for a historic close to 2025.

Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323
Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323 (via The Independent)

Dvalishvili’s dominance prompted questions about the level of remaining competition within the bantamweight division. His output and pace created a significant gap between him and the rest of the field throughout his reign. This context lent weight to Petr Yan’s acknowledgment of Dvalishvili in discussing a potential trilogy and reinforced the competitive significance of their matchup.

I think he’s one of those guys who actually deserves any rematch.

Petr Yan via X

A trilogy fight would carry broader implications for the division beyond settling their one-to-one rivalry. Dvalishvili seeks to regain the position he built through exceptional consistency, while the Russian fighter aims to solidify his renewed standing. Their next meeting would likely determine long-term hierarchy at 135 pounds. It stands as one of the division’s most consequential potential bookings.

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