Petr Yan News

Petr Yan punches Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323
Joshua Van

What's next for the stars of UFC 323?

Cole Shelton - December 8, 2025

The UFC had its final pay-per-view card of the year on Saturday as the promotion was in Las Vegas, Nevada, for UFC 323. The main event saw Merab Dvalishvili defending his bantamweight title in a rematch against Petr Yan. The co-main event saw Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight strap against Joshua Van. In the end, it was Yan who pulled off the upset as he dominated Dvalishvili in all five rounds to cruise to a lopsided decision win to reclaim his bantamweight title. Van, meanwhile, became the new flyweight champ as Pantoja suffered an arm injury not even a minute into the fight.

Merab Dvalishvili speaks with Joe Rogan following his loss at UFC 323
Petr Yan

Merab Dvalishvili's coach reacts to 'nightmare' loss to Petr Yan at UFC 323

Curtis Calhoun - December 8, 2025

Coach John Wood issued his first public remarks about what went wrong for dethroned bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. Merab Dvalishvili’s UFC bantamweight title reign came to an abrupt end via a loss to Petr Yan at UFC 323 last Saturday in Las Vegas. In a five-round instant classic, Dvalishvili lost to Yan by unanimous decision as the former titleholder reclaimed the bantamweight belt.

Merab Dvalishvili UFC 323 interview
Petr Yan

Merab Dvalishvili wants trilogy fight with Petr Yan after humbling UFC 323 defeat

Harry Kettle - December 8, 2025

UFC star Merab Dvalishvili has already made it clear that he is interested in a trilogy fight against rival Petr Yan. Last weekend at UFC 323, Merab Dvalishvili lost his UFC bantamweight championship at the hands of Petr Yan. It was an incredible performance from the Russian sensation and ultimately, the judges saw it the same way, as he was able to reclaim the gold – something no fighter in UFC history has ever done after going on a three-fight losing streak.

Petr Yan punches Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323
Petr Yan

Sean O'Malley in awe of Petr Yan's UFC 323 title win over Merab Dvalishvili

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 7, 2025

Sean O’Malley reacted to Petr Yan’s stellar performance against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. Yan challenged Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight Championship this past Saturday in Las Vegas. It was a chance for Yan to not only reclaim the 135-pound gold, but to also get some revenge after being defeated by “The Machine” back in 2023. Mission accomplished for Yan, who earned the unanimous decision victory to close out his 2025.

Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili UFC staredown
Merab Dvalishvili

Aljamain Sterling reacts to Petr Yan dethroning Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323

Harry Kettle - December 7, 2025

Former UFC champion Aljamain Sterling has given his thoughts on Petr Yan defeating Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. In the main event of UFC 323, Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili to become the new UFC bantamweight champion. It was an absolutely incredible performance from the Russian sensation, to the point where on two scorecards, he won by four rounds to one. After years of being away from the title picture, he has finally been able to work his way back to the very top.

Iwo Baraniewski, UFC 323, Bonus, UFC
UFC

UFC 323 Bonus Report: Iwo Baraniewski one of four 'POTN' winners

Chris Taylor - December 6, 2025

The Octagon returned to T-Mobile Arena for tonight’s UFC 323 event, and four fighters wound up taking home performance bonuses. The pay-per-view event was headlined by a men’s bantamweight title fight rematch featuring Petr Yan challenging Merab Dvalishvili. The bout proved to be a return to glory for Petr Yan. The Russian was able to utilize some amazing takedown defense and beautiful striking to better Merab Dvalishvili for the majority of their five-round affair. Yan was able to hurt ‘The Machine’ on multiple occasions and left the now former champion bloody and bruised after twenty-five minutes of thrilling action.

Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili UFC staredown
Petr Yan

Pros react to 'Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan 2' at UFC 323

Chris Taylor - December 6, 2025

Tonight’s UFC 323 event was headlined by a men’s bantamweight title fight rematch featuring Merab Dvalishvili taking on Petr Yan. Dvalishvili (21-5 MMA) was making a quick turnaround tonight in Las Vegas, this after recently defeating Cory Sandhagen at October’s UFC 320 event. ‘The Machine’ had previously defended the promotion‘s bantamweight world title on three occasions in the 2025 calendar year, this while defeating the likes of Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley and the aforementioned ‘Sandman’.

Petr Yan
Petr Yan

UFC 323 Results: Petr Yan defeats Merab Dvalishvili (Highlights)

Chris Taylor - December 6, 2025

We have you covered for all of tonight’s UFC 323 results, including the main event men’s bantamweight rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan. Dvalishvili (21-4 MMA) will be making a quick turnaround, this after defeating Cory Sandhagen at October’s UFC 320 event. ‘The Machine’ has successfully defended the promotion‘s bantamweight world title on three occasions in 2025, this while defeating Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley and the aforementioned ‘Sandman’.

Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili UFC staredown
Petr Yan

UFC 323 rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan won't go any different, says ex-champion

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 5, 2025

One former champion doesn’t think Petr Yan can do much to turn things around against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. Yan will get a second chance to get the better of Dvalishvili on Saturday, but the UFC Bantamweight Championship will be at stake this go-around. “The Machine” scored a unanimous decision victory over Yan back in 2023.

Merab Dvalishvili weigh-in
Joshua Van

UFC 323 weigh-in results: Merab Dvalishvili and other key fighters make weight

Fernando Quiles Jr. - December 5, 2025

The UFC 323 weigh-ins have wrapped up and both title fights are now official. UFC 323 will emanate from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday. The main event will see Merab Dvalishvili chase history. If he successfully retains the UFC Bantamweight Championship against Petr Yan, then he will set a new record for the most successful UFC title defenses in a single year.

Merab Dvalishvili, Petr Yan
Petr Yan

Merab Dvalishvili slams Petr Yan's claim that he was injured during their first fight

Harry Kettle - December 5, 2025

UFC champion Merab Dvalishvili has hit back at Petr Yan after he claimed that he was injured during their first fight. Tomorrow night, Merab Dvalishvili will defend the UFC bantamweight championship against Petr Yan at UFC 323. It has the potential to be one of the most intriguing fights of the year, especially given the insane activity of Merab who, in 2025 alone, has been able to put together a 3-0 run.

Petr Yan
UFC

Petr Yan expects immediate rematch for Merab Dvalishvili if he beats him at UFC 323: 'Would be a really cool trilogy'

Cole Shelton - December 4, 2025

Petr Yan knows he will have to beat Merab Dvalishvili twice if he’s going to remain the bantamweight champion. Yan is set to return to the Octagon in the main event of UFC 323 in a rematch against Dvalishvili for the bantamweight title. Although Yan is a sizable underdog and was dominated by Dvalishvili two years prior, he has full confidence that he will get his hand raised.

Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan trade punches during their fight at UFC Las Vegas
Petr Yan

Merab Dvalishvili says there's no bad blood with Petr Yan heading into UFC 323

Harry Kettle - December 4, 2025

UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has said there’s no bad blood between him and Petr Yan ahead of UFC 323. On Saturday night, Merab Dvalishvili will take on Petr Yan in the main event of UFC 323. If he’s able to pick up the win, Merab will officially go 4-0 this year, successfully defending his belt on every occasion. Of course, these two men have fought before, with ‘The Machine’ picking up the win on that occasion en route to earning his own shot at the gold.

Merab Dvalishvili, Petr Yan
Petr Yan

Merab Dvalishvili expecting a 'war' against Petr Yan at UFC 323

Cole Shelton - December 3, 2025

Merab Dvalishvili is expecting a tough fight at UFC 323 when he takes on Petr Yan. Dvalishvili is set to defend his bantamweight title for the fourth time in 2025 when he takes on Yan in the main event of UFC 323 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Heading into the fight, Dvalishvili is a -500 favorite while the Russian is a +340 underdog on FanDuel.

Petr Yan
Petr Yan

Petr Yan shares bold prediction for UFC 323 title fight against Merab Dvalishvili

Cole Shelton - December 2, 2025

Petr Yan expects to reclaim his bantamweight title at UFC 323 on Saturday night in Las Vegas. Yan is set to rematch Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC 323 for the bantamweight title. The two fought back in March of 2023, and it was Dvalishvili who dominated Yan en route to a lopsided decision.

Dominick Cruz cageside at UFC 315, opposite Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili in the Octagon
Merab Dvalishvili

Dominick Cruz: 'Very possible' Petr Yan beats Merab Dvalishvili in UFC 323 rematch

Curtis Calhoun - November 25, 2025

Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz envisions Petr Yan defeating Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323; if he follows on specific path. UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will defend his belt for the fourth time in 2025 next month at UFC 323 against Petr Yan. Two years after Dvalishvili put on a record-setting performance against Yan in their first clash, the two bantamweights will run it back as Yan looks to reclaim the 135-pound throne.

Merab Dvalishvili, Sean O'Malley
Petr Yan

Sean O'Malley issues warning to Merab Dvalishvili ahead of Petr Yan rematch

Harry Kettle - October 22, 2025

UFC star Sean O’Malley has issued a warning to former rival Merab Dvalishvili ahead of his UFC 323 rematch against Petr Yan. In the main event of UFC 323 in December, Merab Dvalishvili will defend his UFC bantamweight championship against Petr Yan. It will serve as a rematch following their first meeting a few years back, which ‘The Machine’ won to put himself in line for a shot at the belt. If Merab wins, it will take him to 4-0 in 2025, cementing his position as Fighter of the Year beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Merab Dvalishvili grapples with Petr Yan during their fight in Las Vegas
Petr Yan

Petr Yan labeled 'cringey' for injury claims about first Merab Dvalishvili fight

Fernando Quiles Jr. - October 19, 2025

Petr Yan’s injury claims have drawn the ire of Merab Dvalishvili’s coach. Yan is set to challenge Dvalishvili for the UFC Bantamweight Championship on Dec. 6. The title fight will headline UFC 323 in Las Vegas. This will be a rematch, as “The Machine” defeated “No Mercy” back in 2021.