Merab Dvalishvili Vows 'Domination' Against Petr Yan in UFC Abu Dhabi Trilogy Rematch

Merab Dvalishvili, a former UFC champion and the fighter with the most takedowns in company history, made a memorable introduction to the media in Abu Dhabi, despite his prominent presence advertising UFC 333. Dressed in a tailored brown suit and exuding a jovial demeanor, he playfully bantered about motorcycles and horses with Sean Strickland. This contrasted sharply with his opponent, Petr Yan, who presented a brooding intensity in a black baseball cap and UFC apparel. Yan expressed his belief that Song Yadong was more deserving of a title fight, stating he doesn't choose his opponents. Despite the animosity, Dvalishvili stated his excitement to fight Yan, emphasizing that the title is secondary to securing a win and proving himself as the better fighter. He aims to answer Yan's trash talk and disrespect with a decisive victory.

The upcoming bout at Etihad Arena on Saturday marks the third encounter between Dvalishvili and Yan, with each having secured one win. While billed as the co-main event, its significance rivals that of the main card featuring Alexander Volkanovski and Movsar Evloev. The trilogy, which began three years ago, saw Dvalishvili win by unanimous decision in their first fight, a result Yan disputed. Dvalishvili, who had previously made extreme statements about the consequences of losing to Yan, has adopted a more measured approach, acknowledging Yan's danger and the possibility of defeat but emphasizing his commitment to taking the risk.

In their last meeting at UFC 323 in December, Yan delivered a dominant performance, utilizing powerful body shots and thwarting Dvalishvili's takedown attempts, which Dvalishvili admitted was a mistake due to fighting so soon after his win over Corey Sandhagen. Dvalishvili, known for his cardio and work ethic, acknowledged running out of steam and knowing he was losing after the second round. For the upcoming fight, Dvalishvili has a different strategy, focusing less on takedowns and more on achieving 'domination' similar to their first encounter.

Yan remains confident, stating he has his own plan to win, regardless of Dvalishvili's strategy. Yan underwent back surgery in January following their previous fight. Sean O'Malley, familiar with both fighters, suggested Yan might have made a mistake by taking the fight so soon after surgery. Yan, however, asserted his readiness to fight. With one win each and a history of intense exchanges over three years, the trilogy decider at Etihad Arena promises a definitive conclusion.