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Former Champion Petr Yan Targets Title Rematch Against Merab Dvalishvili By The BBC Sports Desk Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan has publicly called for a highly anticipated rematch against the division's current titleholder, Merab Dvalishvili, after successfully navigating a challenging period in his career. The Russian fighter, known for his clinical striking and aggressive style, believes his recent string of victories firmly establishes him as the number one contender, setting the stage for a potential championship bout later this year. The proposed fight is widely expected to headline one of the final pay-per-view events of the calendar, marking a significant crossroads in the deeply competitive bantamweight landscape. Yan’s demand for a second contest with Dvalishvili comes following the champion’s dominant performance at UFC 320, where Dvalishvili successfully defended his belt. Yan, who previously suffered a decisive unanimous decision loss to the Georgian in March 2023, has since embarked on a notable recovery run, securing three consecutive wins against elite competition. This streak has silenced critics who questioned his trajectory after he faced a rare dip in form, losing three consecutive contests between 2022 and 2023. Crucially, the reigning champion, Dvalishvili, has also indicated an openness to the match-up, stating his intention to attempt a record-breaking number of title defences in a single calendar year. He told media outlets that Yan, being a former champion on a three-fight winning streak, “deserves a title fight” if the organisation chooses to move forward with the booking. The Road to Contention The turnaround in Yan’s professional record began in March 2024 with a unanimous decision victory over Chinese contender Song Yadong at UFC 299. That performance was particularly noteworthy as the 32-year-old fighter later revealed he had sustained a significant knee injury, including a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and meniscus tear, during the fight's opening round.
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Despite the severity of the injury, Yan managed to execute a tactical three-round contest to claim the win, demonstrating his remarkable durability and fight intelligence. Following a period of rehabilitation and recovery that saw him return ahead of initial medical timelines, Yan continued his ascent. He delivered a five-round masterclass against former two-time Flyweight Champion Deiveson Figueiredo in November 2024, securing a dominant unanimous decision. His most recent outing in July 2025 saw him defeat rising prospect Marcus McGhee in Abu Dhabi, solidifying his ranking position near the apex of the bantamweight division. It is the perceived nature of the original loss to Dvalishvili, however, that fuels the narrative for a rematch. Yan was comprehensively out-wrestled and dominated across five rounds in their first encounter. The Russian has since suggested that his performance was hindered by circumstances outside the cage. “I’ve been waiting for this chance, and I’m ready to fight in December,” Yan was recently quoted as saying, adding: “Last time I was compromised, I was only on 50%. This time it will be something different. ” While such claims of impairment are common in competitive sports following a loss, they add significant intrigue to the proposed second bout.
Context of a Tumultuous Reign Petr Yan's career history is marked by a series of highly controversial and career-defining moments, which add complexity to his current pursuit of the title. He first captured the undisputed Bantamweight Championship in July 2020 by defeating José Aldo. However, his title reign was abruptly terminated in March 2021 when he lost the belt to Aljamain Sterling via disqualification—the only title change in UFC history decided by this rule—after delivering an illegal knee strike to a downed opponent. Yan momentarily reclaimed gold by winning the interim title against Cory Sandhagen later that year, but he went on to lose the subsequent title unification rematch with Sterling via a close split decision. This period of contention continued with a highly controversial split decision loss to Sean O’Malley in October 2022, a fight where a vast majority of media scores favoured Yan as the rightful winner, according to fight aggregation sites. These three losses, all against eventual or former champions, defined the tumultuous slump that the Russian fighter now appears to have decisively exited. Analyst Outlook and Division Impact The possibility of Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan 2 is viewed by analysts as a pivotal moment for the 135-pound division, often cited as one of the deepest talent pools in the sport. The stylistic match-up pits Yan’s masterful boxing and counter-striking against Dvalishvili’s relentless, high-volume wrestling and cardio. Mr. Mark Williams, a long-time combat sports analyst, stated that the timing of the rematch is perfect.
“Yan has done exactly what he needed to do: stack big wins against high-calibre opponents to erase the memory of the Dvalishvili loss. His resilience, particularly fighting through that ACL tear, proves his elite mentality,” Williams said. “But the challenge remains the same. Dvalishvili is arguably the best grinder in the sport right now. For Petr Yan to win, he must demonstrate an evolution in his takedown defence and offensive wrestling that simply wasn't visible in their first meeting. ” The official announcement from the promotional body is now expected in the coming weeks. Should the bout be confirmed for December, it will serve as the ultimate litmus test for both fighters: for Dvalishvili, a chance to solidify his reign by decisively defeating his most dangerous stylistic challenger twice; and for Petr Yan, a critical opportunity to reclaim the undisputed championship and cement his legacy as one of the greatest bantamweights in the sport’s history. You can find an analysis of Petr Yan's previous main event bout against Deiveson Figueiredo Petr Yan vs. Deiveson Figueiredo: Final Prediction & Breakdown.
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