Merab Dvalishvili opened up about how much damage he absorbed from Petr Yan in their rematch. Despite his nickname "The Machine," Dvalishvili acknowledged that against Yan he felt human and vulnerable. He candidly admitted that Yan landed hard shots that affected him during the fight. Dvalishvili's willingness to acknowledge his opponent's power demonstrates sportsmanship and self-awareness. The Georgian fighter's comments highlight the difficulty and competitiveness of their second encounter, even though Dvalishvili won the fight.
Merab Dvalishvili has spoken candidly about how much punishment he absorbed from Petr Yan in their bantamweight rematch, admitting that the Russian champion's power genuinely hurt him during the fight despite the Georgian coming away with the victory.
Dvalishvili, 35, carries a 21-5 record and currently sits ranked number one in the bantamweight division and second in the pound-for-pound standings. Known as "The Machine" — a nickname that evokes relentless forward pressure and an almost superhuman work rate — he acknowledged that the Yan rematch made him feel anything but mechanical. The Serra-Longo Fight Team product averages 4.33 significant strikes landed per minute and is one of the division's most dangerous wrestlers, posting 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes, but it was his durability that faced the sternest test in this bout.
Yan, nicknamed "No Mercy," holds the bantamweight title and brings a 20-5 record into every fight. The 33-year-old Russian is among the sharpest strikers in the weight class, landing at a 54 percent accuracy rate and averaging 5.12 significant strikes per minute — numbers that help explain why Dvalishvili felt the effects of his punches. The switch-stance champion fights out of the Archangel Michael Club and has long been regarded as one of the most technically refined hands at 135 pounds.
Dvalishvili's willingness to credit Yan's striking power, rather than downplay it, reflects a straightforward self-awareness about the realities of the fight. He made clear the encounter was genuinely competitive and that Yan's shots registered in ways he had to push through.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili's admission underscores that Yan remains a serious threat at bantamweight even in defeat
- The competitiveness of a second meeting tightens the narrative around any potential third fight in the division
- Yan's elite striking accuracy adds complexity to any future challenger's game-planning against him
