Merab Dvalishvili announces trilogy for the UFC belt and shows the main difference in his training.

Merab and Yan have a tense face-off at the UFC. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

PUBLICITY:

While an official date for their third encounter is still undefined, Merab Dvalishvili already has his next challenge in mind. The Georgian confirmed he will face Petr Yan again for the bantamweight title (up to 61,2 kg), in a trilogy that promises to definitively settle the rivalry between the two athletes. The Russian won the title by defeating "The Machine" in the rematch, interrupting the former champion's dominant streak.

On his YouTube channel, in a video published last Saturday (1st), Merab revealed an important change in his preparation to try and regain the belt. Known for his intense pace and impressive volume of takedowns, the Georgian admitted that he intends to adopt a more strategic approach for the new duel against Yan.

See too

Khamzat Chimaev's coach explains main reason for defeat to Sean Strickland

Alex Poatan outlines his main goals in the UFC: 'One step at a time'

Arman Tsarukyan chooses the Top 5 greatest UFC fighters of all time; see the list.

“Today’s training was very good. We worked on positions, and that’s basically how I’m going to fight Petr. The last time I fought him, I pushed myself hard. This time, I’m going to train smartly. I’m going to get a different result and get my belt back,” said Merab Dvalishvili.

The statement refers to the second fight between the two fighters, when Petr Yan managed to neutralize much of his opponent's takedown game and found more space to work his striking. The Russian showed improvement in his wrestling defense and punished Merab on several occasions during the fight, securing a unanimous decision victory.

Now, Dvalishvili's challenge will be to find a new strategy to overcome an opponent who already knows his main path to victory. The Georgian believes that smarter preparation could be the key to regaining the bantamweight title and returning to the top of the division.

Relive the clashes between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan:

Merab celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC

Merab Dvalishvili defeated Petr Yan at UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas in 2023. In their first fight, the athlete lived up to his nickname "The Machine." The Georgian fighter pressured from the start, attempting dozens of takedowns and not allowing the Russian to comfortably develop his dangerous striking. With a dominant performance, he won by unanimous decision and solidified his position as one of the top names in the division.

Petr defeated Merab at UFC 323 in December 2025. In the rematch, the fighter presented a more complete version of himself. The Russian defended takedown attempts better, controlled the distance, and used precise strikes to prevent the former champion from repeating the dominance of their first encounter. With a technical performance, he regained the bantamweight title, winning by unanimous decision.

The trilogy confirmed by the Georgian could pit two completely different styles against each other: Merab Dvalishvili 's tireless wrestling against Yan's precision and takedown defense.

Video: Merab announces trilogy with Petr Yan

Merab Dvalishvili just confirmed he's in camp for Petr Yan trilogy

"Today's training camp was very good. We worked on positions, and this is pretty much how I'm going to work against Petr. Last time when I fought Petr, I was working hard. This time, I'm working smart. I'm going… pic.twitter.com/BywWXh9lBd

— FREAK.MMA (@FREAKMMA1) August 3, 2026

Exclusive: Michael PQD talks about his brutal UFC debut victory.