Georgian MMA fighter Merab Dvalishvili has expressed confidence ahead of his highly anticipated trilogy fight against Russian UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan.
As reported by İdman.Biz, the two fighters are scheduled to meet on October 24 at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Dvalishvili believes the upcoming showdown could become one of the most significant fights in the history of the bantamweight division.
"Yes, I would call it one of the most important fights in bantamweight history. The first fight was one-sided, the second was too, and now we all deserve to find out who really is the best. It will be interesting," Dvalishvili told MMA Junkie.
The Georgian fighter acknowledged Yan's abilities and admitted that he expects a difficult challenge against the reigning champion.
"I'm looking forward to fighting Yan because he is the most dangerous opponent. He is the champion, and I always love fighting the best of the best. I have a serious challenge ahead of me," he said.
Dvalishvili also emphasized that their previous encounters, which saw them spend a combined 50 minutes inside the Octagon, have given him valuable experience.
"Of course, it helps. I know him. Even though the results of the first and second fights were different, one thing I can say for sure is that I am very confident, I feel comfortable, and I firmly believe I will win this fight."
The former champion also addressed his personal relationship with Yan, admitting that their rivalry extends beyond sporting competition.
"It's just a rivalry. I always knew he was a good fighter. As a person, he is just a little rude. That's who he is. I wasn't a fan of his personality. Of course, I respect him. He is a father, he has two children, and he is a good family man. And he is a great fighter," Dvalishvili explained.
The Georgian added that Yan's attempts to provoke him during press conferences had not affected his preparation or motivation.
"He made fun of me at the press conference, but that's normal for him. I'm not surprised. Right now, it's just competition. I simply want to beat the best, Petr Yan, and that's all."
Dvalishvili concluded with a strong warning to his Russian rival.
"I need to beat him, and then he will be put in his place. That's it. It will happen automatically."
The fighters have already met twice, with each securing one victory. In March 2023, Dvalishvili defeated Yan by unanimous decision after dominating their five-round contest.
Their rematch in December 2025 produced the opposite result, as Yan claimed a unanimous decision victory. Dvalishvili was hospitalized following that encounter.
With the rivalry tied at 1–1, their third meeting in Abu Dhabi will determine who takes the lead in their head-to-head series, with the UFC bantamweight championship also at stake.
