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Merab Dvalishvili says he is healthy and will be back soon after UFC 333 loss to Petr Yan

In his first statement since the trilogy defeat, the former bantamweight champion thanked his coaches, the UFC and his fans.

By Combat Sports UK Staff · Published · AI-assisted reporting
Merab Dvalishvili: This Machine never breaks
Original graphic: Combat Sports UK

Merab Dvalishvili says he is healthy, motivated and will be back soon in his first statement since losing to Petr Yan at UFC 333.

"I cannot wait to be back in that cage doing what I love to do! I am healthy and motivated and will be back soon! This Machine never breaks! See you all soon," Dvalishvili wrote on X on Monday.

He thanked God, his cornermen, his training partners in Las Vegas, his New York team and the UFC "for always giving me these opportunities", along with his family, friends and fans.

Yan beat Dvalishvili on a unanimous decision in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, with all three judges scoring the five-round fight 48-47, to keep the UFC bantamweight title. Yan had taken the belt from Dvalishvili at UFC 323 in December 2025 and now leads their rivalry 2-1.

Dana White has said Yan's next opponent will be Song Yadong or Sean O'Malley.

In this story
Merab DvalishviliPetr YanSong YadongSean O'Malley
READ NEXTPaddy Pimblett says Merab Dvalishvili's takedowns show 'your opponent's got up 24 times'Read the next story →

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Sources