Merab Dvalishvili explains why UFC trilogy with Petr Yan isn't booked yet

Merab Dvalishvili has spoken out about why his trilogy bout with bantamweight champion Petr Yan has yet to be officially scheduled, citing specific reasons for the holdup in what would be one of the division's most anticipated matchups.

Dvalishvili, ranked first in the bantamweight division and second in the pound-for-pound standings, carries a 21-5 record into this period of negotiation. The 35-year-old Georgian, who trains out of the Serra-Longo Fight Team, is one of the sport's most relentless grapplers, averaging 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes while also generating an active 4.33 significant strikes per minute on the feet.

On the other side, Petr Yan holds the bantamweight title and brings a 20-5 record to the table. The 33-year-old Russian fighting out of the Archangel Michael Club is a technically precise striker, landing 5.12 significant strikes per minute at a 54 percent accuracy rate — among the sharpest numbers in the division.

Why it matters

• Yan is the reigning bantamweight champion, making this a title fight if booked, with major divisional implications
• Dvalishvili is the top-ranked contender and a logical next challenger, giving the matchup legitimate competitive stakes
• The two fighters have history across two previous meetings, adding rivalry weight to a potential third
• Their contrasting styles — Dvalishvili's high-volume wrestling versus Yan's precise striking — set up a compelling stylistic clash

Dvalishvili's public comments suggest the delay stems from factors beyond simply matchmaking interest, though the specifics of those reasons were not detailed in full. With the Georgian sitting atop the contender rankings and Yan holding the belt, both sides have clear motivation to eventually bring the trilogy to fruition.