Dvalishvili Vows to Humble 'Cocky' Yan Again at UFC 333
Merab Dvalishvili says he'll punish Petr Yan's cockiness in their UFC 333 bantamweight trilogy fight in Abu Dhabi.
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Merab Dvalishvili says he plans to exploit Petr Yan's confidence when the two meet for a trilogy fight at UFC 333, arguing the champion's swagger will be his undoing just like it was in their first bout.
Yan enters the rubber match as the reigning two-time bantamweight champion after dethroning Dvalishvili at UFC 323 this past December. Dvalishvili, speaking at the UFC 333 press conference, admitted he came into that fight too comfortable and paid for it. "I feel good because he's cocky again," Dvalishvili said. "He tried to bully me. I love this sh*t. Because I'm gonna make him humble, like I made him first time. Let's go."
What Did Dvalishvili Say About Yan's Cockiness?
Dvalishvili's read on the rematch is simple: Yan's confidence, the same trait that fueled his UFC 323 revenge win, is a lever Dvalishvili believes he can pull a second time. He beat Yan by decision in their 2023 meeting, and he's framing this trilogy as a return to that formula rather than a reaction to the loss. The exchange at the presser got personal fast. Yan fired back by telling Dvalishvili to get medical insurance for his nose, referencing an injury Dvalishvili has been dealing with since a sparring session earlier this year. Dvalishvili has said he's putting off surgery on the nose until he retires because the procedure would cost him a year on the sidelines.
Dvalishvili isn't looking past the fight, either. He told the media that if he reclaims the belt, he wants to defend it multiple times a year the way he did during his first reign, and he's already named Song Yadong as his preferred first defense, calling the surging contender "new blood" with knockout power.
Betting Angle
Sportsbooks aren't buying the redemption story just yet. FanDuel has Yan sitting around a -170 favorite with Dvalishvili priced near +132, meaning the market still trusts Yan's UFC 323 blueprint over Dvalishvili's history in the first meeting. That's a notable shift from three years ago, when Dvalishvili's wrestling was largely unproven against elite bantamweight strikers. Bettors weighing this line have to ask which version of Yan shows up: the poised, patient striker who solved Dvalishvili's pace in December, or the fighter Dvalishvili insists is getting overconfident again. Given how close the first two fights played out stylistically, there's an argument for value on the underdog if Dvalishvili can drag this back into a grinding, top-position fight like he did in 2023.
UFC 333 is set for Oct. 24, 2026, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, with the Yan-Dvalishvili trilogy serving as the championship co-main event beneath the featherweight title fight between Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili 3 at UFC 333?
The Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili trilogy fight headlines the UFC 333 co-main event on Oct. 24, 2026, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Who is favored to win Yan vs. Dvalishvili 3?
FanDuel had Petr Yan as roughly a -170 favorite over Merab Dvalishvili, who was priced around +132, ahead of their UFC 333 trilogy bout.
Who has Merab Dvalishvili called out for his next title defense?
Merab Dvalishvili said he wants to face Song Yadong in his first title defense if he beats Petr Yan and reclaims the UFC bantamweight championship at UFC 333.
