Petr Yan Says He's 'Figured Out' Dvalishvili for UFC 333

Petr Yan says he has "figured out" Merab Dvalishvili ahead of their UFC 333 trilogy fight, and the bantamweight champion expects to deliver another dominant performance when they meet for the title on Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

The rivalry sits at 1-1. Dvalishvili took the first meeting by smothering Yan with wrestling and grinding out a unanimous decision back in 2023. Yan reversed the result in their December 2025 title rematch, repeatedly defending takedowns and landing effective strikes to reclaim the championship by unanimous decision. Now "No Mercy" says that second fight taught him enough to do it again, and then some.

What Did Petr Yan Say About Merab Dvalishvili?

Petr Yan believes the tape from two fights with Merab Dvalishvili has given him everything he needs to win a third. "We definitely have enough information downloaded from the time we spent together in the Octagon," Yan said in a pre-fight interview. "But the second victory, obviously, was very dominant. I've figured him out and I'm gonna do whatever I can to this time bring the same type of victory and even open new layers which we haven't seen yet."

That is a notably confident line from a fighter who lost the first meeting of this series. But it tracks with how the December rematch actually played out. Yan did not just survive Dvalishvili's wrestling that night, he stopped it outright, and he mixed in enough offense to leave no doubt with the judges.

Why This Trilogy Fight Matters

A split series between a two-time bantamweight champion and a former titleholder is about as high stakes as the 135-pound division gets. Dvalishvili built his case as one of the most relentless pressure fighters in the UFC on the strength of that 2023 win, and he will be looking to prove the first fight was the real form, not the second. For Yan, a win settles the argument and gives him a statement third title defense of this latest reign. For Dvalishvili, this is the clearest path back to the belt.

Betting Angle

Sportsbooks have Yan opening as the betting favorite in the trilogy fight, continuing the market's lean toward the champion after his commanding December win. That lines up with how the fight actually looked last time out: Yan nullifying the wrestling that won Dvalishvili the first fight is the kind of adjustment oddsmakers and bettors take seriously, since it strikes at the one thing Dvalishvili's entire style depends on. The number to watch between now and fight night is whether that line holds or tightens, since a long layoff for both men since December means there is real uncertainty about who adjusts better off a year away from the cage.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili fight for the third time?

Petr Yan defends his UFC bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili in their trilogy bout at UFC 333 on Oct. 24, 2026, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Who is leading the Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili series?

The series is tied 1-1. Merab Dvalishvili won their first fight by decision in 2023, and Petr Yan won the December 2025 title rematch by unanimous decision.

What did Petr Yan say before UFC 333?

Petr Yan said he has figured out Merab Dvalishvili and expects to repeat his dominant December 2025 performance, while adding new wrinkles in their trilogy fight.