UFC 323 brings one of the most heated bantamweight rivalries back to life as current Bantamweight Champion Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan for the title.
Their first fight was a one-sided wrestling showcase by Merab, but things have changed dramatically. Merab is now the champion, undefeated for years, and carrying massive momentum.
Petr Yan, on the other hand, is back in top form with a three-fight winning streak and believes he has the blueprint to stop Merab’s relentless pace this time.
Both fighters have elite skills, strong resumes, and championship experience. This matchup has everything fans want—storyline, rivalry, skill contrast, and high-risk stakes.
Below is a complete breakdown, including stats, recent form, strengths, weaknesses, and our official prediction.
UFC 323 Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan: Fight Overview
This is a rematch that carries more tension than their first meeting. Merab Dvalishvili has climbed to the top of the division by defeating major names like Sean O’Malley, Cory Sandhagen, and Umar Nurmagomedov.
His biggest weapon is his pace and chain wrestling. Once he drags his opponents to deep waters, he breaks them round by round.
Petr Yan is known as one of the most technical strikers in UFC history. Razor-sharp boxing, tight defense, and strong takedown resistance make him a nightmare for many bantamweights.
This time, Yan believes he has corrected his mistakes and promises complete takedown defense, something he struggled with in the first matchup.
Their records are close, their skills contrast strongly, and both fighters are entering the cage with something to prove.
Fighter Stats Table
| Attribute | Merab Dvalishvili | Petr Yan |
|---|---|---|
| Record | 21–4 | 19–5 |
| Streak | 13-fight win streak | 3-fight win streak |
| Height | 5’6” | 5’7” |
| Style | Wrestling & high pressure | Boxing & Muay Thai |
| Takedown Avg | Very high | Strong takedown defense |
| Championship Experience | Current champion | Former champion |
Recent Performance
Merab Dvalishvili
Merab’s recent performances have been dominant. He neutralized Sean O’Malley, outworked Cory Sandhagen, and broke the undefeated run of Umar Nurmagomedov.
What separates Merab from others is his ability to maintain the same pressure from round one to round five. He pushes a pace that no bantamweight has been able to match for years.
His confidence is at an all-time high, his cardio is unmatched, and he has become comfortable mixing takedowns with volume striking.
Merab enters UFC 323 as a champion who has not tasted defeat in more than a decade.
Petr Yan
Petr Yan went through a rough patch earlier, losing close decisions and struggling with inconsistent performances.
But his last three wins have shown vintage Yan sharp boxing, tight guard, smart footwork, and calculated aggression. He looks more patient and more aware of his defensive responsibilities.
Yan is also coming into this fight with revenge on his mind. Losing the first fight against Merab still bothers him, and he believes he has adjusted enough to counter the champion’s wrestling pressure and turn this into a striking battle.
Style Breakdown
Merab Dvalishvili – Relentless Wrestling & Pressure
Merab is not a traditional wrestler who focuses only on takedowns. He uses takedowns as a tool to drain his opponents and force them into mistakes.
Even if you get up, he takes you down again. Even if you defend, he keeps pushing forward. His chain-wrestling ability is something rare in this division.
His striking is improving. It is not his primary weapon, but it is good enough to mix combinations and keep opponents guessing before shooting.
Petr Yan – Elite Boxing & Defensive IQ
Petr Yan’s striking fundamentals are world-class. He throws precise combinations, manages distance extremely well, and rarely gets hit with something clean.
His Muay Thai clinch and body shots are some of the best in the bantamweight division.
Yan also has one of the strongest takedown defenses historically. However, Merab’s volume and persistence are different from most wrestlers.
This fight will test whether Yan can stay disciplined for 25 minutes and keep the fight standing long enough to land impactful combinations.
Key Advantages
Merab Dvalishvili
- Cardio that lasts all five rounds
- Pressure that never stops
- Ability to secure multiple takedowns per round
- More momentum and confidence
- Experience beating Yan already
- Huge improvements in striking
Petr Yan
- Much cleaner boxing
- Better footwork and accuracy
- Dangerous counter-striking
- High takedown defense compared to most fighters
- More knockout power
- Better at reading opponents and adapting mid-fight
Weaknesses
Merab Dvalishvili
- Takes shots clean when pressured
- Relies heavily on wrestling—if Yan stops takedowns, things get complicated
- Sometimes gets reckless with entries
Petr Yan
- Slow starter in many fights
- Can get overwhelmed if forced backwards
- Struggles when opponents mix takedowns with volume
- First fight shows Merab’s style can frustrate him
Who Wins? & Why
This fight comes down to one major question:
Can Petr Yan stop Merab Dvalishvili’s takedowns for five rounds?
If the answer is yes, then Yan has a real chance to finish this fight with a knockout. His punching accuracy and timing are dangerous for anyone who constantly shoots in.
But based on their first fight, Merab’s improvements, and his current form, the odds lean strongly toward the champion.
Merab has improved more than any fighter in this division over the past few years.
His wrestling pace is something Yan has never fully solved, and Merab now has championship composure along with more refined striking.
Yan will have moments. He will land strikes. He will defend takedowns early. But can he stop 20–30 attempts across five rounds? That is the challenge.
Prediction Summary
- Merab Dvalishvili winning chances: 70%
- Petr Yan winning chances: 30%
Most Likely Outcome: Merab Dvalishvili Wins
- Method: Submission or Decision
If Merab gets his typical rhythm going, Yan will spend too much time defending takedowns and surviving scrambles. The longer this fight goes, the more it favors Merab.
Yan’s Path to Victory: Knockout
If Yan catches Merab during one of his entries with a clean combination, he can absolutely score a knockout. This is his clearest path and the one he is banking on.
Final Verdict
UFC 323 delivers a rematch with enormous stakes. Merab Dvalishvili stands as one of the most dominant champions in recent bantamweight history, riding a 13-fight winning streak and holding victories over elite names.
Petr Yan, meanwhile, is hungry to reclaim his spot and rewrite the story after losing their first meeting.
This fight is a clash of styles pressure vs precision, wrestling vs striking. Yan will make this competitive, especially early, but Merab’s pace, conditioning, and relentless approach give him a strong advantage.
Final Pick: Merab Dvalishvili wins by submission or decision.
If Merab maintains constant pressure, Petr Yan will struggle to find enough space to land the knockout shot he needs.
Yan has a puncher’s chance, but Merab holds the overall edge in skills, momentum, and the stylistic matchup.
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