For Yan, this marks his first title opportunity since losing his championship chance to Aljamain Sterling back at UFC 273. Since that defeat, the determined Russian contender has bounced back impressively and now stands on a strong 3-fight winning streak. All three victories came by decision, showcasing his discipline and tactical sharpness while rebuilding momentum in the competitive bantamweight division.

However, facing Merab Dvalishvili, Yan has boldly promised a dominant finish to reclaim championship glory with an authoritative statement. “I want to win early by knockout. When you finish the champ early, it leaves absolutely no talk, no speculations. I want to get the belt back and take my revenge. I have everything it takes to beat him,” Petr Yan via UFC. 

petr yan plans to finish Merab Dvalishvili early to get his revenge for the first fight 😤🔥

"I want to win early by knockout. When you finish the champ early, it leaves absolutely no talk, no speculations. I want to get the belt back and take my revenge. I have everything it… pic.twitter.com/kBP5bDShFt

— Red Corner MMA (@RedCorner_MMA) November 29, 2025

Yan enters the matchup as one of the most technically gifted strikers, possessing sharp combinations, powerful counters, and elite timing. However, Merab Dvalishvili has consistently dismantled strikers with overwhelming pressure, relentless wrestling, and chaotic volume. 

The fight ultimately hinged on Yan’s ability to defend takedowns consistently while maintaining balance, composure, and sharp counterpunching. If he lands a clean knockout shot early, momentum could shift, and Yan can avenge his previous loss against the Georgian superstar.

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Can Merab Dvalishvili break the single-year title defense record at UFC 323?

At UFC 323, Merab Dvalishvili will enter his fourth 2025 title defense after previously dismantling Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley, and Cory Sandhagen. Across these championship outings, the ‘Machine’ overwhelmed every challenger with unmatched pressure, proving himself the most active and consistent champion. 

His rare ability to weaponize pace allowed him to secure decisive victories, showcasing technical maturity and cardio superiority over elite bantamweight opponents. Riding an incredible 14-fight winning streak, Dvalishvili’s momentum continues building, strengthening his case as the division’s most unstoppable presence. Heading into his matchup with Yan, Merab Dvalishvili stands as the clear betting favorite expected to extend his championship run successfully.

READ MORE: “Can Change My Opponent” – Andrew Tate Fires Back at Chase DeMoor Over Disrespect Ahead of Anticipated Clash

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The post “Take My Revenge” – Petr Yan Promises Early Knockout Against Champion Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323 first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

It will mark the second meeting between Yan and Merab Dvalishvili, following their first encounter at UFC Fight Night 221. In that fight, Dvalishvili dominated Yan from start to finish, earning a clear unanimous decision victory to establish himself as a top contender. The Georgian fighter showcased relentless pressure and world-class wrestling, securing a record-breaking 49 takedown attempts throughout the bout.

His dominant performance against the former champion proved his cardio and relentless fighting style, earning massive respect from MMA fans. Going into the rematch, Yan is confident about taking his revenge and capturing the bantamweight championship. Ahead of the fight, Merab Dvalishvili has shared that this time he would be more dominant in comparison to the first bout.

“In the first fight I was very stressfull but now I’m more mature…The biggest mistake he make, he don’t respect in the first fight. He was thinking I wasn’t able to do anything against him. Whatever I was better at, I’m sure he’s going to fix it — and I have to be an even better version,” Merab Dvalishvili via BYM Podcast.

Can Petr Yan get his revenge against Merab Dvalishvili?

Since their first meeting, Merab Dvalishvili has captured the UFC bantamweight title and extended his winning streak to five more victories. His championship experience and undefeated run as champion provide him with unmatched confidence heading into the rematch. However, the Russian contender Petr Yan possesses the striking precision and experience necessary to potentially pull off a massive upset.

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Yan is currently on a three-fight win streak against top fighters like Deiveson Figueiredo and wants to continue that momentum. Apart from that, former champion Sean O’Malley is also planning to rematch Yan if the Russian gets the title. “If I go out there and get a win. Petr beats Merab. I’ll have to think about it. I’m not sure if I’m ready to give him a rematch yet,” said Sean O’Malley via his YouTube channel.

Merab Dvalishvili has already started his training camp and was recently seen in a pad session where he warned Yan. He plans to become the first fighter in UFC history to defend the title four times in a single year. It will be interesting to see who comes out victorious after the main event of UFC 323.

READ MORE: Former Sponsor of Andrew Tate, Daniel Knight Urges KSI To Join Sidekick After ‘Cobra’ Becomes Misfits CEO

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The post Merab Dvalishvili Warns Petr Yan: “The Biggest Mistake” Ahead of UFC 323 Showdown first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

From the beginning of the fight, Nurmagomedov shot for a takedown and successfully took Bautista to the ground.  He continuously dictated the pace with effective takedowns, positional dominance, and short yet impactful strikes that left Bautista struggling to create meaningful offense. By Round 3, Bautista increased aggression with kicks and combinations, but Umar’s superior grappling and tactical discipline secured him a decisive 30-27 unanimous victory.

Following his dominant win, Nurmagomedov expressed deep gratitude toward his fans, coaches, and teammates for their unwavering support and motivation. The fighter then confidently declared his readiness to face the winner of the upcoming Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan title fight. “I will come to take this belt. Doesn’t matter who it’s gonna be, Petr Yan, Merab, doesn’t matter. I will become champion,” said Umar Nurmagomedov. 

Umar Nurmagomedov vs. Merab Dvalishvili rivalry 

Umar Nurmagomedov fought Merab Dvalishvili earlier this year at UFC 311 and lost the bout via unanimous decision. The Dagestani got humiliated in front of his mentor, Khabib Nurmagomedov, and was extremely disappointed. Since then, the Georgian champion has repeatedly mocked Nurmagomedov and has also discussed a potential title rematch.

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The ‘Machine’ vows to destroy Nurmagomedov this time, aiming to end their bitter rivalry decisively and permanently come what may. However, before settling scores, he must first defend his bantamweight belt against Petr Yan in UFC 323’s main event soon. Fans will eagerly watch the evolving equation between Dvalishvili, Yan, and Nurmagomedov as the stakes rise dramatically next year in anticipation.

READ MORE: The Downfall of Israel Adesanya: Former Champion Drops Out of the UFC Middleweight Top 5

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The post “I will become champion” – Umar Nurmagomedov Calls Out Champion Merab Dvalishvili After Defeating Mario Bautista at UFC 321 first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.

The UFC 322 co-main event features Merab Dvalishvili vs. Umar Nurmagomedov. On the line is the UFC Bantamweight Championship, currently held by Dvalishvili. Both fighters have the same number of wins and are eager to add another to their record. Here’s what you need to know—and who might be worth betting on.

Fighters Profiles and Strength

Merab Dvalishvili

Merab Dvalishvili, also known as “The Machine,” has earned his nickname for dominating the bantamweight division. He’s currently on an 11-fight winning streak, with his last fight on September 14, 2024, in the UFC. In 2017, Merab defended the ROC Bantamweight Championship against Raufeon Stots before signing with the UFC. His debut came in December of that year but ended in a split-decision loss to Frankie Saenz.

The following year, he lost again but earned the “Fight of the Night” bonus at UFC Fight Night 128 for his submission loss. Redemption came later in 2018 with a win against Terrion Ware. In 2019, Merab stepped away from the UFC to compete in the Combat Sambo World Championships. He defeated opponents like Yerlan Makhmutov and Mindaugas Ramaska but lost the gold medal to Stepan Kobenov in the final. Returning to the UFC, he beat Casey Kenney by unanimous decision.

In 2021, Merab earned a “Performance of the Night” bonus for his knockout win over Marlon Moraes. However, his last career loss came at Fury Pro Grappling 2 against Kevin Dantzler. Since then, he’s remained unstoppable in the UFC.

Umar Nurmagomedov

Umar Nurmagomedov is on an impressive unbeaten streak with 18 wins. Coming from a strong fighting family, his pursuit of GOLD feels natural.

In just three years with the UFC, Umar has fought six times, mostly on UFC Fight Night cards. He made his debut in 2021 against Sergey Morozov, earning a “Performance of the Night” bonus with a rear-naked choke submission. He repeated this success against Raoni Barcelos, securing a win with a left hook TKO.

Other notable UFC victories include wins over Nate Maness, Brian Kelleher, Bekzat Almakhan, and Cory Sandhagen. Before joining the UFC, Umar competed at GFC 20, where he won the vacant GF Bantamweight Championship against Braian González via submission.

What time is the fight?

The fight kicks off live at 10 p.m. ET this Saturday.

Location: Intuit Dome, Los Angeles, California, United States.

How can I Watch It?

If you’re interested, you can watch it on ESPN+  Pay-per-view.

Statistical Matchup

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Keys to Victory

Merab Dvalishvili`s Path to Success

Merab’s main strengths are his striking and wrestling skills. He knows how to apply pressure in the octagon, which worked well in his last fight. The 34-year-old orthodox fighter lands 42% of his significant strikes. He also has excellent grappling abilities, making him a well-rounded competitor.

Umar Nurmagomedov`s Path to Success

Umar has an impressive record that matches his opponent’s. He plans to use the same strategy that has worked in his past title fights. His goal is to take the bout to the final round and win by unanimous decision

Final Prediction

Can the champion really challenge the unbeaten Umar, who comes from a rich fighting legacy? This fight feels wide open.

Merab is not someone to underestimate, especially with the odds in his favor. His wrestling skills earned him the UFC championship, and he knows how to defend it. For six years, he’s been a solid competitor.

Facing someone like Umar, though, won’t be easy. This fight looks like it will go into the later rounds.

Our Prediction:

Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision

Over 2.5 rounds

Fight to go the distance

READ MORE: Who is fighting on UFC 311 this weekend?

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The post Merab Dvalishvili vs Umar Nurmagomedov: Predictions and Breakdown first appeared on Sidekick Boxing.