Merab Dvalishvili lost his UFC bantamweight title to Petr Yan in a unanimous decision at UFC 323, after attempting to defend it four times in one year, and vowed to return stronger in 2026.
Merab Dvalishvili aimed high, striving to defend the UFC bantamweight title four times in one year. But, he fell short in his quest.
This ambitious feat remains unachieved after Dvalishvili lost a unanimous decision to Petr Yan at UFC 323. Post-fight, Dvalishvili promised to return stronger in 2026, addressing fans with gratitude.
“Tonight wasn’t my night, but I’ll be back stronger than ever,” he tweeted. “Thank you everyone for your support.”
After defeating Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley, and Cory Sandhagen, Dvalishvili sought one more fight before 2025 ended. The UFC booked him for a rematch with Yan.
In their first bout, Dvalishvili’s relentless pace led to a dominant decision over Yan. Fast forward three years, Yan seized his rematch opportunity.
Yan displayed fierce power and precision, turning Dvalishvili’s face into a bloody canvas with his jabs. His body shots left the Georgian fighter staggering.
Despite moments where Yan seemed poised for a finish, Dvalishvili held firm, refusing to quit. Yet, it wasn’t enough to sway the judges.
The decision loss cost Dvalishvili his title. UFC CEO Dana White shared a backstage photo of Dvalishvili, captioned “savage!”—a testament to the brutal battle.
Yan now basks in his second championship reign, along with a $50,000 bonus for the Fight of the Night at UFC 323.