Merab Dvalishvili vows to avenge Petr Yan defeat and reclaim UFC title in Abu Dhabi
Merab Dvalishvili has built his reputation on relentless work inside the octagon and a playful streak outside it. But as he prepares to face Petr Yan again at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, the former champion says his focus is firmly on the fight: learning from their last meeting, reclaiming the belt and returning to the busy schedule he thrives on. 'The Machine' was one of the busiest fighters in 2025,…
Merab Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine," is determined to avenge his defeat at the hands of former champion Petr Yan and reclaim the UFC bantamweight title at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi. After a hectic 2025, during which he defended his title four times, Dvalishvili faced Yan for the second time just two months after their first meeting, where Yan won by unanimous decision.
Dvalishvili attributes his loss to overexertion and lack of preparation, as he fought Yan’s fight instead of his own. Despite his loss, Dvalishvili has turned his attention to social media, where he entertains nearly 3 million followers with comedic sketches and UFC content. He credits his close friendship with fellow fighter Aljamain Sterling for providing a balance between hard training and fun content.
Dvalishvili remains committed to his craft, training alongside Sterling and maintaining a strong bond with his team.
Written by urgent.news from The National Business's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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