A rematch won't hurt: Jan will fight Dvalishvili again

The fight between Peter Yan and Merab Dvalishvili, announced as the main match of the evening of UFC 323, will take place in Las Vegas at the T-Mobile Arena on the night of December 7. For Dvalishvili, this is a chance to set a record series of title defenses within one calendar year, and for Jan, it is an opportunity to regain his champion status and take revenge for a defeat almost three years ago. Read more about one of the most anticipated fights of the year in the Izvestia article.

Fourth in a year

Merab is approaching a rematch as a champion and one of the most active and dominant fighters in the division: in 2025, he has already successfully defended the belt three times: first against Umar Nurmagomedov, then in a rematch with Sean O'Malley, and then against Corey Sandhagen. This series of defenses makes him a contender for a historic achievement — the first time in UFC history when a title holder tries to defend it four times in one year.

Over the years, Dvalishvili has been accumulating statistics that set him apart from his rivals: he holds the record for the total number of takedowns in the UFC, demonstrates outstanding cardio and the ability to maintain a high tempo throughout the fight, which, coupled with wrestling and pressure, makes him an extremely dangerous champion. Due to these qualities, Merab looks like one of the most stable and formidable light heavyweight fighters.

"I think Peter has a chance to win," former UFC champion Oleg Taktarov told Izvestia. — First of all, Peter seems to be healthy. Secondly, he knew in which direction to prepare for battle. Peter and I agreed on one thing: Merab has too many fights. For example, gladiators fought once every six months — during this time you have time to fully recover. Dvalishvili has a fight every three months this year, and it takes at least four months to recover. Emotionally, Merab may not be ready to fight the Russian.

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Petr Yan, in turn, deserved a rematch and a title chance. He remains a fighter with a strong striking base, a neat stance, technique and a firm character. Yang has long established himself as a fighter who is able to both fight at a distance and adapt to his opponent's style. Despite losing their first match, he confirmed that he intends to return to the top of the division and is ready to work hard to regain his champion status.

"I hope Petya is 100% ready for the fight," Konstantin Tszyu, the former undisputed world boxing champion, emphasized in a conversation with Izvestia. "He must cope with the pressure and become a champion again. Now they are both motivated: one wants to prove that he rightfully won the first fight, the other wants to show that it was an accident.

Pros and cons

The first fight between Yan and Dvalishvili took place on March 11, 2023 and ended with the victory of the Georgian fighter by unanimous decision after a full five-round confrontation. This victory was the result of Dvalishvili's pre-emptive control, activity, and more successful clinch and ground fighting.

A rematch looks like an opportunity to close this cycle: for Dvalishvili, it is to assert his dominance and potentially make history by defending the title four times in one year, for Jan, it is a chance to prove that defeat two years ago does not determine his subsequent career, and he is able to climb back to the top of the division.

"I think the chances in this fight are equal,— former Bellator champion Vadim Nemkov told Izvestia. — It depends on who prepared and how. Merab is on the rise now, holding his fourth fight in a year, and he will feel confident. And Peter is back in good shape, I hope he will be able to win.

Pop MMA fighter Artyom Tarasov has a different opinion.

"I think Merab Dvalishvili will win, and he'll keep the belt because he's in crazy shape," he says. — The fights that he showed were complete superiority over his rivals. He was bullying them. I think that the fight will take place in the stalls, Merab will constantly translate, put pressure on and will retain the status of champion. I do not believe that Peter Yan will take the belt, although I am very much rooting for him. This is Peter's last chance to take the UFC title. If it doesn't work out, I think he will end his career. I heard that he was already tired of fighting. If he wins against Merab now, there will be a new wave of Petr Yan. But this is his last chance. Let's see how he uses it.

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If Merab manages to defeat Peter, he will join the elite club of fighters who have managed to win more than five UFC champions (former, current and future). Dvalishvili currently has victories over Jose Aldo, Peter Yan, Henry Cejudo, Sean O'Malley (twice). Of the light heavyweight champions, only Aljamain Sterling has the same result.

Of course, on December 7, the whole of Russia will be rooting for Peter Yan, but Dvalishvili's achievements cannot be ignored. The Georgian is the most dominant fighter in his weight class. He confidently leads the division in total control time in the stalls and in the number of strikes. If Peter wins, the fighters from Russia will hold three titles at the same time. If Merab retains the belt, the UFC will receive an athlete worthy of the title of the greatest in 61 kg.