This is the UFC 333 live blog for Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili 3, the bantamweight championship co-main event Saturday at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
Yan is currently the No. 2 ranked fighter in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, while Dvalishvili stands at No. 10.
This is the third meeting between Yan (20-5) and Dvalishvili (21-5). Dvalishvili first defeated Yan by decision in the main event of a Fight Night event in March 2023. He went on to become bantamweight champion and in 2025 sought to become the first fighter to successfully defend a UFC title four times in a calendar year, but was foiled by Yan, who put on an incredible performance to regain his belt and avenge his loss to Dvalishvili this past December.
Yan has won four straight since breaking out of a three-fight slump that pushed him to the outer edge of the contender conversation. Prior to beating Dvalishvili, he scored convincing wins over ranked opponents Marcus McGhee, Deiveson Figueiredo, and Song Yadong.
Dvalishvili’s loss to Yan not only ended his title reign, it snapped a 14-fight win streak. He seeks to put an exclamation point on their trilogy and begin another dominant run atop the 135-pound division.
Check out the UFC 333 live blog for Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili 3 below.
Preamble
A UFC title is on the line now for a trilogy between Yan and Dvalishvili, and the UFC announces a pair of title bouts for UFC 336 on Jan. 30 with flyweight king Joshua Van vs. Manel Kape and Carlos Prates vs. Michael Morales battling for an interim strap. Wow!
Yan and Dvalishvili have said time and time again that they were compromised when they fought previously, and are 1-1 against each other under the UFC banner.
Round 1
Yan walks out with his kids by his side. And yes, he will have his young son in his corner for a UFC title defense.
Hre we go! Dvalishvili with a brutal leg kick right off the bat to rock Yan off balance. And a great right hand for Dvalishvili that lands! Dvalishvili now shoots for a single leg but Yan gets back to his feet. Intense start for the former champion, who threatens with a kick, but instead goes for the back on the feet. Yan defends the position, but Dvalishvili keeps the high pace with a head kick again a takedown attempt. Yan separates again. Crowd is pro-Yan and try to help the UFC champion with “Yan” chants in support. Yan with an oblique kick, and Dvalishvili again with the single leg takedown attempt that misses — but has Yan worried. Yan with a nice jab now. Dvalishvili has him down with a body lock but Yan is again in his feet. What a frenetic first round! Dvalishvili with another well-timed takedown to put Yan on the ground, but the Russian gets back to his feet straight away. Dvalishvili won’t let go of the position, though. Can Dvalishvili keep this pressure for four more rounds? This is insane.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Dvalishvili.
Round 2
Round two stars and Dvalishvili connects a head kick, and then a spinning back kick! Yan with a jab, immediately countered by Dvalishvili. Dvalishvili has his back now, but can’t take him to the ground. Quick jab and another takedown for Dvalishvili, but Yan sweeps and is on his feet again. Dvalishvili with non-stop wrestling tonight. The pro-Yan crowd boos, but Dvalishvili just doesn’t care. He shoots again! Yan has success getting back to his feet, but nothing offensively. Leg kick for Dvalishvili, right hand, and guess what? Yep, another takedown attempt. Yan finally lands a combination of punches, and Dvalishvili responds. Yan connects a great left hand as Dvalishvili tried for a takedown, but the ex-champion gets it eventually. Yan gets back up again. I may sounds repetitive here, but trust me, it’s all happening over and over inside one round.
MMA Fighting scores the round 10-9, Dvalishvili. Overall, 20-18 Dvalishvili.
Round 3
