Merab Dvalishvili insists Petr Yan trilogy must happen after title loss

Merab Dvalishvili will not accept any substitute for a trilogy fight with Petr Yan after his UFC bantamweight title reign ended at UFC 323 on 14 December 2025.

What happened to Merab Dvalishvili in December?

Dvalishvili (21-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC) lost his UFC bantamweight belt to Petr Yan at UFC 323 on 14 December 2025. The Georgian star had defended his title three times in 2025 before Yan claimed the crown. Yan (20-5 MMA, 12-4 UFC) underwent minor back surgery after the fight, leaving his return timetable uncertain.

Why Merab Dvalishvili wants only Petr Yan next

Dvalishvili told MMA Junkie Radio the UFC has ruled out an interim title while Yan recovers. “I deserve to fight Petr Yan, and I will have to wait for Petr Yan,” he said. “I’m fine with that. Hopefully Petr comes soon and we will fight. If not, then however long he will take, I want to fight him.”

He added: “That’s the best guy in my division now, and I want to fight the best guys because everybody else, I have beaten. Petr Yan is the real challenge for me, especially that it’s 1-1 between me and him, and I’m sure everybody will be excited about our trilogy.”

When is Merab Dvalishvili’s next fight?

Dvalishvili is set to main-event in his home country on 11 July 2026 at Tbilisi Arena. He faces Henry Cejudo in a wrestling showcase while recovering from a broken nose. “My nose is good already,” Dvalishvili said. “I’ve been training with the head gear on, the mask that is protecting my nose, and I’m fine.”

What’s next for the bantamweight division?

With Yan sidelined, Sean O’Malley (19-3 MMA, 11-3 UFC) re-entered the title conversation by knocking out Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Freedom 250. Yet Dvalishvili remains fixated on Yan. “Everybody else, I have beaten,” he said. “Petr Yan is the real challenge for me.”