WATCH: Merab Dvalishvili Caught Sparring Hours Before UFC 323 PPV Event Loss

Merab Dvalishvili was seen sparring on the same day ahead of his eventual bantamweight title loss against Petr Yan. 

WATCH: Merab Dvalishvili Caught Sparring Hours Before UFC 323 PPV Event Loss

Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan took place at UFC 323 (via X)

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Merab Dvalishvili made his fourth UFC appearance of 2025 and attempted to defend title at UFC 323 against Petr Yan. The betting favorite continued pushing hard in training just hours before the main event walkout in a viral clip on social media.

Merab Dvalishvili is well known for putting in several rounds of heavy sparring, which makes him a dominant force in battle. This often leads to injuries that could possibly jeopardize the fights; however, the Georgian doesn’t really care about such risks. In the viral video, Dvalishvili was seen sparring on the morning of UFC 323. 

Merab Dvalishvili has already fought three times earlier this year and dominated opponents like Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley, and Cory Sandhagen. The fighter had an impressive 14-fight winning streak and has consistently used his relentless cardio to completely outclass his opponents.

Many experts, including respected UFC veteran commentator Joe Rogan, have repeatedly mentioned how incredibly unbelievably reliable Dvalishvili’s cardio truly is. Many believe that his intense hard sparring sessions during training camps were one of the biggest reasons behind his endurance.

Other than that, the fighter likes to run and consistently stay fit throughout the demanding year to maintain strong conditioning. On top of that, his background in construction work is regarded as one important reason supporting Dvalishvili’s relentless cardio levels.

Ahead of his clash against Petr Yan, the Russian wanted to avenge his previous loss suffered earlier against Merab Dvalishvili. According to Yan, he fought with one arm during their 2023 bout, but these excuses never amuse Dvalishvili.

In a recent press conference, the champion asked Yan to stop making excuses and instead focus on winning their rematch. Merab Dvalishvili aimed to become the fighter with the most successful defenses in a single year, showcasing a relentless championship run.

The Georgian attempted to dominate his longtime rival completely and refused to leave any room for excuses during their heated matchup. However, the reality unfolded very differently as the Russian took control early and produced a stunning upset that shocked the entire division.

Petr Yan beats Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323 to take his revenge

Many experts believed Petr Yan required an early knockout to defeat Merab Dvalishvili, considering the champion’s relentless pressure during later rounds. However, this particular fight unfolded differently as Yan immediately showcased sharp striking designed to control distance and disrupt Dvalishvili’s trademark forward aggression.

Merab Dvalishvili loses against Petr Yan
Merab Dvalishvili loses against Petr Yan (via X)

From the opening bell, Yan’s calculated combinations consistently forced the champion backward and prevented him from establishing his usual pace. As anticipated, the ‘Machine’ attempted multiple takedowns throughout the bout, yet Yan defended every entry with impressive timing and discipline.

Yan continually targeted Merab Dvalishvili’s body with punishing strikes, gradually inflicting damage that significantly slowed the champion’s movement. The sustained pressure ultimately became overwhelming, leaving Dvalishvili visibly compromised and unable to implement his high-volume wrestling strategy.

After five dominant rounds, Yan secured victory, ending the Georgian’s impressive winning streak and avenging the previous loss. The Russian fighter was extremely proud of his victory and, at the age of 32, he reclaimed the title he previously lost. Merab Dvalishvili was disappointed and revealed that he wanted to entertain the fans, but ultimately failed. 

Dvalishvili immediately requested a rematch and was later seen discussing possibilities directly with UFC CEO Dana White. Both fighters displayed genuine mutual respect afterward and praised each other’s abilities despite the intense stakes defining their championship confrontation. Fans wonder if a trilogy might occur next year as excitement builds around Yan and Dvalishvili competing after their rematch.

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