THIS is the fight to make next. Regardless of the result of UFC 333 Merab Dvalishvili vs Song Yadong is clearly the next fight for both of these guys The relentless pressure and grappling of Merab bs the power of Song… it’s gonna be a good one I think if Merab gets the belt back then he’d wanna turn around and defend in January or February but what do you guys think? Do you wanna see this fight? #ufc #mma #merabdvalishvili #songyadong #umarnurmagomedov
A compelling bantamweight clash is being discussed in MMA circles, with Merab Dvalishvili and Song Yadong emerging as the natural next fight for both men regardless of how UFC 333 plays out.
Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine," carries a 21-5 record and holds the number-one ranking in the bantamweight division, with a pound-for-pound ranking of second in the world. The 35-year-old Georgian, who trains out of Serra-Longo Fight Team, has built his reputation on relentless forward pressure and an elite grappling game. He averages 6.4 takedowns per 15 minutes — an extraordinary number at any level — while also posting 4.33 significant strikes landed per minute, showing he is far from one-dimensional.
Song Yadong, the 28-year-old nicknamed "Kung Fu Kid," sits sixth in the bantamweight rankings with a record of 24-9-1. Standing five-foot-eight with a 67-inch reach, Song brings genuine power and striking volume to the table, averaging 4.34 significant strikes per minute at a 43 percent accuracy rate — numbers that make him dangerous against any opponent in the division.
The discussion gaining traction online frames this matchup as a stylistic clash worth making at the earliest opportunity, with some suggesting that if Dvalishvili reclaims championship gold, a turn-around defense in January or February could be on the table.
Why it matters
- Dvalishvili's grappling volume against Song's striking power sets up a genuine style contrast
- A win for either man carries significant divisional weight given Dvalishvili's top ranking and Song's top-ten position
- The timing discussion suggests the bantamweight picture at the start of 2027 could look very different depending on UFC 333's result
- At 28, Song is entering his prime, while Dvalishvili at 35 would want to keep momentum moving quickly
