Merab Dvalishvili

Petr Yan spent a month training in Kislovodsk ahead of his fight with Merab Dvalishvili, working under coach Kairat Nurmaganbetov alongside sparring partners Kurban Gadzhiev and Asaf Chopurov. The camp will continue in Dubai, where Yan will focus heavily on wrestling and sparring, with Asaf Chopurov and Sharapudin Magomedov — who helped Yan prepare for Dvalishvili's takedowns previously — set to join. Magomedov is expected to arrive after his ACB debut on September 12, while Gadzhiev will prepare for his own October 4 ACB bout in Dagestan before potentially traveling to Dubai afterward. Chopurov described the training intensity as unlike anything he had experienced, calling it "championship-level" and praising Yan's professionalism and generosity toward his sparring partners.

Yan

Merab Dvalishvili is one of the UFC's most relentless bantamweights, and he might be the funniest fighter in the sport too. The Georgian former UFC bantamweight champion built his career in mixed martial arts on suffocating, dominant pace and constant forward pressure, wearing down opponents with a gas tank that rarely slows down over five rounds. Off the mic, Dvalishvili has become known for viral bits like kissing rival Sean O'Malley's back mid-fight at UFC 311, diving headfirst into a frozen lake, giving Nina Drama joking self-defense tips, and his trademark Vamos Muchachos catchphrase. Known for ferocious cardio and explosive takedown chains, the humble, good-natured champion remains one of combat sports' most beloved personalities.

O'Malley

Petr Yan is one of the UFC's most relentless bantamweight champions, and his pad work shows exactly why he's back. Nicknamed No Mercy, Yan reclaimed the UFC bantamweight title in mixed martial arts with a five-round decision win over Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323 in December 2025, only to undergo a grueling nine-hour back surgery to repair damaged lumbar discs shortly after. In August 2026, Yan posted his first shadowboxing footage since the operation, and resurfaced pad sessions show his signature relentless output, throwing high-volume combinations behind a tight guard built on his Russian amateur boxing background. Known for ferocious pressure and explosive finishing power, Yan remains one of combat sports' most feared champions.

Yan

Sean O'Malley has expressed his desire to see Song Yadong face Merab Dvalishvili, stating he has long believed Song poses a significant stylistic problem for the Georgian contender. O'Malley noted that if Dvalishvili wins the belt against Petr Yan, Song should be next in line for him. O'Malley also indicated that if Yan wins, he himself would be the one to fight Yan.

O'Malley, Yan, Yadong

Umar Nurmagomedov says he intends to fight Merab Dvalishvili next whether Dvalishvili wins or loses against Petr Yan at UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi. Nurmagomedov, who suffered his first career loss to Dvalishvili via unanimous decision in their bantamweight title fight at UFC 311 in January 2025, told MMA Junkie the rivalry has since turned personal following an altercation between Dvalishvili and Nurmagomedov's friend Ahmed Gadzhimagomedov at a recent event in Georgia. Nurmagomedov must first get past Song Yadong in Saturday's UFC Fight Night 286 main event in Shanghai before any rematch can materialise.

Nurmagomedov, Yan, Yadong

Islam Makhachev has responded to Merab Dvalishvili's complaints about the Russian flag being displayed in the octagon, saying he pays no attention to the Georgian fighter's repeated objections. Makhachev noted that Petr Yan already beat Dvalishvili once and raised the Russian flag in the octagon afterward. Makhachev predicted Yan will beat Dvalishvili again and silence him for good.

Makhachev, Yan