Merab Dvalishvili reveals plans for a comeback and sets a date for his UFC fight.

Merab Dvalishvili beat Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320. Photo: UFC News / Twitter

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Merab Dvalishvili already has his next career step in mind. The former UFC bantamweight champion (up to 61,2 kg), who lost the title to Petr Yan at UFC 323 last December, assured in an interview that he is ready to step into the world's most famous octagon. The Georgian also went into detail about the date and the ideal scenario for this return.

In an interview with 'TNT Sports', Dvalishvili said he is ready to return to the octagon between July and August and indicated that a trilogy fight against Petr Yan could happen during UFC International Fight Week. According to the former champion, his rival has already shown interest in returning to action and would even be prepared to fight in June.

“Realistically, I’ll be back in July or, at the latest, August. Petr has already said he’s fine and ready to fight in June. But we know there are other important events in June, so we won’t fight during that period. After that, in July or August, whenever the UFC needs me, I’m ready, and Petr has also said he is…”

"It would be a dream to fight at International Fight Week. And yes, it's a trilogy, because it's one after the other. I beat him three years ago, he beat me in December, so now we'll have a great fight. I'm excited," said Merab Dvalishvili.

Merab Dvalishvili says both he and Petr Yan are good to go for a trilogy bout at International Fight Week in July 🤩 pic.twitter.com/vFXAbxGCyj

— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) March 25, 2026

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Merab Dvalishvili's MMA numbers

Merab Dvalishvili with the belt at UFC 316 (Photo: Instagram)

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Merab Dvalishvili has a record of 21 wins and five losses in his professional MMA career. Furthermore, the 35-year-old Georgian is currently ranked number one in the bantamweight division and eighth in the organization's pound-for-pound rankings.

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