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Merab Dvalishvili Sends Brutal Message to Petr Yan Ahead of UFC 333 Showdown
Merab Dvalishvili has sent a chilling warning to Petr Yan before they meet a third time inside the octagon.
Yan vs. Dvalishvili is set to serve as the UFC 333 co-main event later this month.
After losing his title to Yan in a rematch at UFC 323, Dvalishvili’s coach had admitted that they wanted “The Machine” to chase finishes and knockouts during his title defenses. However, since that approach didn’t play out well and the Georgian ultimately got dethroned, they will change the game plan for his future bouts and let Dvalishvili do what he does best for 25 minutes.
But it seems like “The Machine” loves the old approach, and a setback has not forced him to stop chasing finishes. During a recent interview with Stake, Merab Dvalishvili said that he wants to keep it simple against Yan at UFC 333, before adding:
“I want to break his face and try to knock him out. Last time it didn’t work out, but I think this time it will.”
[Image via UFC on Instagram]
Merab Dvalishvili knows who he wants after Petr Yan
If Merab Dvalishvili dethrones Petr Yan at UFC 333 and becomes a two-time bantamweight champion, he already knows who he wants to lock horns with after that. In the same interview with Stake, Dvalishvili added:
“Yes, it’s easy to say it now, but god willing, when I win against Petr, I will fight Song Yadong next. We’ve never fought each other, and he’s the next best.”
Song Yadong is currently riding a two-fight winning streak. Most recently, the Chinese fighter sent Umar Nurmagomedov to the shadow realm at UFC Shanghai to put himself back in the title conversation and attract the attention of the champion and other top contenders.
“The Machine” added that he’s aware of the superpowers of Song Yadong and why “Kung Fu Kid” is a very dangerous opponent. Yet, the 35-year-old wants the smoke.
“I think we all know he has knockout power. It’ll be a great fight, a risky and challenging one, but I’m ready for it.”
SHANGHAI, CHINA – AUGUST 29: (L-R) Song Yadong of China punches Umar Nurmagomedov of Russia in a bantamweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at SPD Bank Oriental Sports Center on August 29, 2026 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)