Team Merab Dvalishvili Laughs Off Petr Yan’s ‘Excuses’ for Terrible Defeat in First Fight

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili's head coach, John Wood, criticizes Petr Yan's comments regarding their first fight.

Team Merab Dvalishvili Laughs Off Petr Yan’s ‘Excuses’ for Terrible Defeat in First Fight

Merab Dvalishvili's coach jokes about Petr Yan's comments (via MMA Fighting. Instagram)

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Merab Dvalishvili’s recent dominance inside the Octagon has placed him at the forefront of the UFC bantamweight division, and discussions around his previous bouts continue to draw attention. As he continues to train for his next appearance, comments surrounding his first fight with Petr Yan have resurfaced, prompting a response from his head coach, John Wood.

The first encounter between Dvalishvili and Yan took place in March 2023 at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas. Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling and pressure overwhelmed the former champion across five rounds, earning him a unanimous decision victory. The win extended his streak to nine straight, solidifying his position as the top contender at 135 pounds.

Following that bout, speculation persisted regarding Yan’s physical state going into the fight. The Russian fighter suggested that he was not operating at full capacity during their meeting. Yan recently spoke about how he hardly switched stances in their first fight, which may have affected the result. Wood addressed those claims and emphasized that, regardless of explanations, the result remains the same.

Whatever makes them sleep at night, I’m good with that. Whatever they have to say to get through the night to feel better about a loss. Maybe he was injured, but we were injured too. Merab’s hand couldn’t fit into a glove completely broken in two different places. He had surgery directly after. We never spoke about it until Petr decided to say that he was 50%.

John Wood via Submission Radio

Dvalishvili’s rise since defeating Yan has been significant. He followed the victory with a win against Henry Cejudo and won the title at UFC 306 by defeating Sean O’Malley. His wrestling-heavy style, high fight IQ, and unmatched cardio have made him a difficult challenge for any opponent, including the division’s elite. He recently extended his win streak to 14 wins with a win against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320.

Wood has been part of Dvalishvili’s corner for several years and is recognized for his work with multiple fighters at Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas. He was vocal regarding the Georgian champion’s prowess going into UFC 320 and promised a new version of Dvalishvili. His statement served as a reaffirmation of Dvalishvili’s preparation and performance against Sandhagen.

Now, as he heads into UFC 323 for a rematch with Yan, Dvalishvili is on the verge of making history. The bout marks his fourth title defense of the year, which is a milestone no UFC fighter has ever achieved before. With the opportunity to set a new benchmark in activity and dominance, Merab Dvalishvili enters the event not just as the reigning champion, but as an athlete redefining what it means to rule a division.

Dana White commends Merab Dvalishvili activity heading into UFC 323

Merab Dvalishvili’s road to the UFC bantamweight title was far from straightforward, marked by setbacks, visa challenges, and an early career defined by perseverance. His rise through the rankings was met with both admiration and skepticism, particularly from UFC CEO Dana White, who had previously criticized Dvalishvili for refusing to fight close friend and then-champion Aljamain Sterling.

Merab Dvalishvili is commended by Dana White
Merab Dvalishvili is commended by Dana White (via MMA Fighting)

Dvalishvili’s performance in 2025 has underpinned White’s evolving view. He became the second fighter under 170 pounds to execute three successful title defenses in a single calendar year, with his latest defense coming against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320. This level of activity and dominance has been rare at bantamweight and has gained attention across the sport.

Listen, it took me a minute to warm up to Merab. I’m very warm now. I love that mentality. He wants to be the first guy to defend his title that many times in a year. If you look at what he’s gone out there and done, and how he’s proven himself as a fighter, and as a world champion, it’s impressive.

Merab Dvalishvili via MMA Fighting

Dvalishvili will rematch Petr Yan at UFC 323, where he has the opportunity to defend his belt for a fourth time in one year. If successful, the defense would mark an unprecedented record in UFC history. As Dvalishvili pursues the milestone, his evolving relationship with the promotion’s leadership mirrors his growing legacy as one of the most accomplished champions in modern mixed martial arts.

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