Dvalishvili's Coach Reveals 'Different' Fighter For UFC 333 Trilogy

Merab Dvalishvili's coach says Petr Yan will face an improved version of the former champion when the bantamweights settle their rivalry at UFC 333 on Oct. 24.

John Wood told Home of Fight that Dvalishvili has reached a career peak in camp, motivated by the loss that ended his 14-fight winning streak and cost him the title last December. "It's just a different Merab," Wood said, per BJ Penn. "What I saw in sparring yesterday, and I don't know that he's ever been in better cardio shape, to be honest. He's just so motivated to go back and avenge that last loss, get his title back and put everything back the way it should be."

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Yan Stopped Dvalishvili's Reign At UFC 323

Yan won the rematch by stoppage at UFC 323, reclaiming the belt he first held in 2021 and snapping a streak that saw Dvalishvili defend three times in one year. The Georgian had beaten Yan in their first meeting back in 2023 and added wins over Sean O'Malley twice, Jose Aldo, Henry Cejudo, and Umar Nurmagomedov. Yan enters the trilogy on a four-fight run that includes the Dvalishvili stoppage plus victories over Marcus McGhee, Deiveson Figueiredo, and Song Yadong.

Both men dealt with injuries after the rematch, delaying the rubber match until now. Yan closed as a slight favourite in early lines, though the number could shift as fight week approaches.

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The trilogy co-headlines UFC 333, with the winner positioned to reclaim top billing at 135 pounds.

Reported via:

• BJPenn — Petr Yan will face a ‘different’ version of Merab Dvalishvili in UFC 333 trilogy, says coach