Yan showcased improved wrestling, and superior striking as he claimed a unanimous decision victory after five hard-fought rounds, as he earned scores of 49-46, 49-46, 48-47 to capture the title for the second time.
The Final Verdict: Petr Yan took his game to a new level to defeat dominant Dvalishvili
Ahead of their rematch at T-Mobile Arena, many believed that Yan brought the more well-rounded skillset to the matchup, but also felt that Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling and seemingly bottomless gas tank would overcome the Russian’s talent in all facets of MMA.
However, Yan arrived in Las Vegas in the best shape of his career, and was fully prepared for everything Dvalishvili could throw at him. Dvalishvili started the first round aggressively, but Yan stayed patient and cracked the champion with a big right hand mid-way through the round.
It proved to be the start of a quite brilliant display from Yan, who turned in the sort of performance that suggested that he belonged not just at the top of the 135-pound division, but also in the pound-for-pound rankings, as he punished the longtime champ over five rounds to recapture the bantamweight crown.
Fitness and wrestling the key as Yan dethroned Dvalishvili
Dvalishvili defeated Yan in their first meeting back in 2023, but it emerged after the fight that Yan had fought with a damaged right hand that had hindered his ability to strike. Yan had no such issues in the rematch at UFC 323, and his ability to connect with heavy strikes proved crucial as he punished Dvalishvili for his takedown attempts with stinging shots.
Also notable was Yan’s wrestling. The Russian defended Dvalishvili’s takedowns, and surprised the champion with takedowns of his own as he matched the Georgian on the mat, and won several scrambles to neutralise one of the champion’s biggest weapons. And with the fight predominantly in the striking realm, Yan went to work.
And, as the fight wore on, the damage started to accumulate, and one vicious body kick from Yan had Dvalishvili screaming out in pain as the momentum swung significantly in the Russian’s favour in the rematch.
Yan grateful in victory, Dvalishvili gracious in defeat
Both men revealed their character in their post-fight interviews, with newly-crowned two-time bantamweight champion paying tribute to the fans for their support, and thanked his team.
“I’m very happy to stand here with the championship belt. Thank you so much to all the fans,” said Yan.
“I’m very, very happy. I worked so hard. I prepared so hard for this moment. This is my life.”
Yan also paid tribute to Dvalishvili’s team, saying, “I want to give props to that team. I fought twice with Aljamain (Sterling), twice with Merab. That’s an incredibly hard, strong team.”
Dvalishvili, meanwhile, gave props to Yan for his victory, and immediately staked his claim for a rematch next year in what would be an epic trilogy fight with the scores standing at one fight apiece.
“I tried to give an entertaining fight and I lost today,” Dvalishvili admitted.
“He was better, congratulations to him, but I want a rematch, I want to run it back.”
What’s next for Petr Yan?
A new champion means new matchup possibilities at the top of the bantamweight division, but the most likely first title defence for Yan in his new reign will surely be a rematch with the man he just dethroned.
The pair served up a thrilling encounter at UFC 323 as Yan took his game to a new level to defeat Dvalishvili. But after a punishing 2025 schedule that saw him take on four title defences, there’s a strong argument that Dvalishvili could improve on that showing after a period of well-earned rest.
A summer rematch at UFC International Fight Week would seem like the perfect timing for a Yan-Dvalishvili trilogy fight. Potentially, Yan could squeeze in a fight before that, but a slow build to a third meeting might make the most sense.
UFC 323: Official results
MAIN CARD
- Petr Yan def. Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) – for bantamweight title
- Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja via TKO (arm injury) – Round 1, 0:26 – for flyweight title
- Tatsuro Taira def. Brandon Moreno via TKO (punches) – Round 2, 2:24
- Payton Talbott def. Henry Cejudo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov ruled a majority draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)
PRELIMINARY CARD
- Manuel Torres def. Grant Dawson via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:25
- Chris Duncan def. Terrance McKinney via submission (anaconda choke) – Round 1, 2:30
- Maycee Barber def. Karine Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Fares Ziam def. Nazim Sadykhov via TKO (elbows and punches) – Round 2, 4:59
EARLY PRELIMS
- Brunno Ferreira def. Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Jalin Turner def. Edson Barboza via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 2:24
- Iwo Baraniewski def. Ibo Aslan via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 1:29
- Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Antonio Trocoli via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 1:09
- Mairon Santos def. Muhammad Naimov via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 0:21
