The MMA world was stunned when Merab Dvalishvili finally tasted defeat after years of dominance in the UFC bantamweight division.
Fans had almost started believing that Merab was unbeatable. His pressure, endless cardio, and takedown volume turned him into one of the most feared fighters at 135 pounds.
But at UFC 323, Petr Yan stopped Merab’s incredible run and became the new UFC Bantamweight Champion.
The big question is simple: Why did Merab Dvalishvili lose to Petr Yan?
Many factors played a role. Petr Yan executed a smart game plan, but Merab also made mistakes that shifted the entire fight.
From short turnarounds to weight-cut fatigue to strategy errors in Round 1, several things went wrong for Merab.
This article breaks everything down step-by-step so fans fully understand how this upset happened — and why a rematch could look completely different.
Merab Dvalishvili’s Aura of Invincibility Before UFC 323
Before the Petr Yan fight, Merab had beaten the biggest names in the division. He defeated fighters like Sean O’Malley, Cory Sandhagen, and Umar Nurmagomedov with his pressure-heavy style.
His grind, pace, and wrestling were unmatched. Many analysts even started calling him the GOAT of the bantamweight division.
For years, nobody could solve the “machine” style of Merab Dvalishvili… until Petr Yan did.
Main Reasons Why Merab Dvalishvili Lost to Petr Yan
Below are the key factors behind his loss — explained clearly, without hype, and with easy ranking structure for SEO.
1. Merab Took Too Many Fights Too Quickly
One of the biggest reasons behind Merab’s loss was his extremely packed fight schedule.
While fans love active champions, the problem is the toll it takes on the body, especially at bantamweight where weight cuts are brutal.
Weight Cuts Slowly Affect Recovery
Repeated weight cuts inside short intervals can drain long-term stamina. Merab is known for his legendary cardio, but at UFC 323, something was missing.
His pace wasn’t the same. His energy looked slightly reduced compared to his previous fights.
This is a major formula for disaster when fighting someone as sharp and technical as Petr Yan.
Cardio Was Not the Same Merab We Know
Even though Merab pushed hard in later rounds, his famous “endless gas tank” simply did not show up in its usual form. And when his cardio isn’t at 100%, his takedown success rate drops.
This became very clear when:
- Merab shot 27 takedowns
- Petr Yan defended 25 of them
That level of resistance from Yan combined with Merab’s reduced energy was a major factor in the fight’s outcome.
2. Tactical Error in Round 1: Merab Striked Instead of Wrestling
This was the most surprising decision of the fight.
Merab is not known for his striking. His main strength is wrestling, grappling pressure, and wearing opponents out. But instead of immediately shooting for takedowns, he chose to exchange strikes with Petr Yan.
Why This Was a Mistake
Petr Yan is one of the most technical strikers in UFC history. When Merab chose to stand with him early, he allowed Yan to:
- Set his rhythm
- Find his range
- Control the pace
- Land damaging shots
This changed the direction of the entire fight.
Had Merab started wrestling from the very first second like he normally does the result may have been completely different. Yan would have begun defending takedowns early, losing energy and rhythm.
Instead, Yan had a comfortable start, and that played a huge role in the final outcome.
3. Petr Yan’s Striking Dominated the Early Exchanges
Yan did not just outstrike Merab he hurt him several times.
Sharp Jabs
Yan’s jab was one of the most effective weapons of the fight. It kept Merab at distance, broke his timing, and forced him to reset repeatedly.
Brutal Body Shots
Petr Yan targeted Merab’s body early and often. The body shots slowed down Merab’s movement and drained his stamina even more.
The Liver Shot That Changed the Fight
One of the most impactful moments was when Yan landed a powerful liver kick on Merab. This kick clearly hurt Merab badly.
His posture changed immediately, and he went into defense mode instead of his usual pressure mode.
After landing the liver shot, Yan continued attacking the body. This made sure Merab couldn’t fully recover and weakened his future takedown attempts.
This was smart, championship-level awareness from Yan.
4. Late Wrestling Attempts Were Not Enough
Merab is at his best when he is wrestling nonstop from Round 1 to Round 5. But in this fight, he started shooting takedowns later than usual, and that cost him dearly.
Petr Yan’s Incredible Takedown Defense
Yan defending 25 out of 27 takedowns is an unbelievable statistic in a championship fight. This shows how fresh Petr Yan’s legs were because Merab didn’t test him early.
If Merab had started his wrestling from the opening minute:
- Yan would have been more tired
- Yan’s striking output may have dropped
- Yan’s defense may have slowed down
- The entire momentum of the fight could have changed
But because the takedown attempts came later, and Merab was already hurt and slower, Yan defended most of them with confidence.
5. Merab’s Energy Was Not Enough for His High-Pressure Style
Merab’s style requires maximum stamina at all times. He pushes a pace that most bantamweights simply cannot match. But against Yan, Merab’s stamina looked compromised.
This may be due to:
- Frequent weight cuts
- Short recovery time
- Training overload
- Damage taken early
Once his cardio dropped, Merab was forced into Yan’s world striking and defending instead of dictating the pace.
Yan thrives when the fight is technical and methodical. Merab thrives when the fight is chaotic and exhausting. But in this matchup, Yan got to fight his fight.
Why Petr Yan’s Game Plan Worked Perfectly
Yan didn’t just win because Merab slowed down. He executed a top-level strategy:
- Press the body early.
- Maintain distance with jabs.
- Keep hips ready for takedown defence.
- Attack the liver to stop Merab’s movement.
- Force Merab into striking exchanges.
- Make Merab shoot takedowns only when tired.
This was one of Yan’s smartest performances. Many people doubted him due to past losses, but he reminded everyone why he is one of the most technically gifted fighters in the UFC.
Could the Result Be Different in a Rematch?
Absolutely. A rematch between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan would be a completely different fight if:
- Merab takes a proper break
- Weight cut issues are fixed
- He starts wrestling from Round 1
- He avoids extended striking exchanges
This fight was competitive, and despite being hurt, Merab still pushed forward and attempted 27 takedowns. That tells you the heart and toughness he has.
The UFC could very well book a rematch early, especially because both fighters have a strong fanbase and the first fight left many questions unanswered.
How Fans Are Reacting to Merab’s Loss
Merab hadn’t lost in so many years that fans genuinely forgot what it looked like. Many were shocked, others were emotional, and some began immediately calling for the rematch.
Even though Merab lost, fans appreciated:
- His heart
- His pressure
- His willingness to fight the best
- His sportsmanship
Losses happen, especially in the toughest division in the UFC. What matters most is how Merab comes back — and fans believe he will return even stronger.
Final Thoughts: Why Merab Dvalishvili Lost to Petr Yan
To summarize everything clearly:
Reasons Merab Lost:
- Too many fights in short time
- Weight cut and recovery issues
- Tactical mistake of striking in Round 1
- Yan’s superior boxing and body attack
- Devastating liver shot
- Late and predictable takedown attempts
- Cardiovascular drop compared to his usual level
- Petr Yan’s excellent takedown defense
Merab is still one of the greatest bantamweights ever, but this night belonged to Petr Yan. Yan proved that with the right strategy and sharp execution, even the most dominant fighters can be stopped.
A rematch is not only possible it is one of the most exciting fights the UFC can book next.
About the Author
