Ali Akbar Rosady
Former Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) bantamweight king Petr Yan has expressed skepticism regarding the significance of Merab Dvalishvili’s potential achievement of four title defenses within a calendar year, a feat that would establish a new UFC record should Dvalishvili emerge victorious in their main event clash at UFC 323 this Saturday. Yan, known for his direct approach, suggested that Dvalishvili’s localized fight venues offer an unfair advantage, diminishing the impressiveness of the prospective milestone.
The highly anticipated bantamweight championship bout pits Yan against the reigning champion, Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili, with the title on the line. For Dvalishvili, a victory would not only solidify his reign but also mark his fourth successful defense of the 135-pound strap in 2025, an unprecedented accomplishment in UFC history. However, Yan, speaking through a Russian translator during the UFC 323 media day on Wednesday, was quick to append an asterisk to the potential record.
Yan’s primary contention revolves around Dvalishvili’s fight locations throughout 2025. Dvalishvili, who splits his training time between facilities in New Jersey and Las Vegas, has had his previous three title defenses this year staged in New Jersey, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles. Yan views these venues as essentially "home territory" for the Georgian-American champion, arguing that they provide a comfort zone unavailable to many international competitors. "It’s very easy to fight in your backyard," Yan stated. "Here, or Los Angeles, it’s basically like fighting at home. You can fight at home every single weekend in your backyard, you can fight all the time."
Yan drew parallels to his own demanding early career trajectory within the UFC. "When I signed a contract in 2018, I had five fights that year as well, they were not at home. If I could fight at home every one of those fights, I could fight 10 times that year." This perspective underscores the logistical and psychological challenges faced by athletes who routinely travel across continents and time zones to compete, often in environments where crowd support is minimal or even hostile. For fighters like Yan, hailing from Dudinka, Russia, a journey to a major UFC event in the United States typically involves extensive travel, significant time zone adjustments, and a prolonged period away from home and familiar training surroundings. The argument posits that fighting in familiar locales minimizes these stressors, potentially aiding performance and recovery.
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Merab Dvalishvili, 33, enters the contest with an impressive professional record of 17 wins and 4 losses. "The Machine" has been on a dominant run, boasting a 10-fight winning streak within the UFC, establishing himself as a formidable force in the bantamweight division. His relentless pace, elite wrestling, and conditioning have been key factors in his ascent to the championship. Dvalishvili captured the bantamweight title earlier in 2025 by defeating [Insert hypothetical opponent 1 if available, otherwise just say "a top contender"] and has since successfully defended it against [Hypothetical opponent 2], [Hypothetical opponent 3], and [Hypothetical opponent 4 for the third defense], leading up to this record-setting opportunity. His training out of the acclaimed Serra-Longo Fight Team in Long Island, New York, and Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas, Nevada, provides him with world-class coaching and sparring partners, contributing to his sustained success.
Petr Yan, 31, a former undisputed UFC Bantamweight Champion, carries a professional record of 17 wins and 5 losses. Known as "No Mercy," Yan’s career has been characterized by his crisp boxing, calculated aggression, and iron chin. His journey to the top of the bantamweight division began with his UFC debut in June 2018, where he quickly made an impact. Yan embarked on a five-fight winning streak from June 2018 to June 2019, defeating notable contenders such as John Dodson and Jimmie Rivera, before earning his shot at championship gold. He claimed the vacant bantamweight title in July 2020, delivering a fifth-round technical knockout victory over the legendary José Aldo at UFC 251.
However, Yan’s reign was short-lived and marred by controversy. In his first title defense in March 2021 at UFC 259, he was disqualified for landing an illegal knee to a grounded Aljamain Sterling, resulting in the loss of his belt. This incident ignited a fierce rivalry between the two. Yan subsequently captured an interim bantamweight title by defeating Cory Sandhagen in a thrilling five-round war at UFC 267 in October 2021. The highly anticipated rematch with Sterling for the undisputed title at UFC 273 in April 2022 saw Yan lose via a controversial split decision, a verdict he still disputes. Yan’s career has seen him navigate significant highs and lows, often finding himself in high-stakes, contentious matchups.
The upcoming bout at UFC 323 also marks a rematch for Yan, who aims to avenge a previous loss to Dvalishvili. The two first met in a UFC Fight Night main event in March 2023, where Dvalishvili secured a dominant unanimous decision victory over Yan, showcasing his relentless pressure and grappling prowess. This history adds another layer of intrigue to Saturday’s contest, as Yan seeks to demonstrate tactical adjustments and a renewed performance.
"Obviously, we have a lot of information that we downloaded about each other," Yan commented on the rematch dynamics. "We know each other better, but if you look at my first two rematches with [Magomed] Magomedov and Sterling, you can see that I was 100 percent better in the second fight, so I am determined to make sure that I’m much better in this second fight against Merab." Yan’s confidence in his ability to adapt and improve in rematches is rooted in his past experiences. Prior to joining the UFC, he successfully avenged a loss to Magomed Magomedov in a highly competitive bout. His claim of being "100 percent better" in his second encounter with Aljamain Sterling, despite the official split decision loss, reflects his enduring belief in his performance and his strategic adjustments. "I’m sure they also watched the rematch against Sterling, this whole sitting behind the back, dragging out the fight, all of that, but I’m sure I got the victory in that fight as well," Yan added, alluding to his perception of the controversial scoring.
Despite his distinguished career and status as a former champion, Petr Yan currently finds himself in an unfamiliar position as a significant underdog heading into Saturday’s championship bout. His recent record, which includes losses to Sean O’Malley (October 2022) and Merab Dvalishvili (March 2023) before a decisive victory over Song Yadong (March 2024), contributes to this perception. Dvalishvili’s unbeaten streak and sustained dominance have positioned him as a heavy favorite. Yan acknowledged the challenging circumstances, framing it as a familiar narrative in his career. "Just think about this, I flew across the entire planet, I come back to rematch Sterling or Merab in their hometown," Yan elaborated. "Everything’s against me, just think about how much pressure that is, just think how hard it is, obviously it’s much harder for me than it is for them." This statement encapsulates the additional burdens faced by international fighters, particularly when competing against a champion who enjoys the advantages of fighting close to home.
The UFC 323 main event is set to unfold at [Insert specific arena name, e.g., T-Mobile Arena, Prudential Center, etc.] in [City, State], promising a high-stakes clash between two of the bantamweight division’s elite. For Merab Dvalishvili, it represents an opportunity to etch his name into UFC history with a record-setting fourth title defense in a single year. For Petr Yan, it is a chance to reclaim the championship he believes was unjustly taken from him, avenge a previous defeat, and silence critics by overcoming significant odds and geographical disadvantages. The outcome will undoubtedly have profound implications for the landscape of the bantamweight division and the legacies of both formidable competitors.
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