Merab Dvalishvili is predicted to problem Petr Yan for the UFC bantamweight championship subsequent, in keeping with his coach John Wooden in an interview with Mike Owens. The matchup would full a trilogy between two of the division’s main names after Dvalishvili gained their first assembly in 2023 earlier than Yan took the belt of their UFC 323 rematch final December.
Wooden mentioned the UFC’s plan is evident, whereas acknowledging that title-fight schedules can transfer rapidly. “Sure. At the moment, except one thing modifications on Petr’s finish, we’re combating for the title subsequent. There’s little question,” Wooden mentioned.
“The UFC has let that be recognized. It’s all however for positive, however as a lot as something is for positive on this sport. Issues can change. You need to go along with what you’re being advised, what the supervisor’s telling you, what the UFC desires. However from my data and what I do know, 99%, it’s going to be Petr Yan subsequent.
John Wooden Says Merab Dvalishvili Will Battle Petr Yan for UFC Gold Subsequent
Dvalishvili and Yan first met within the UFC Battle Night time 221 primary occasion in March 2023, when Dvalishvili earned a 50-45 unanimous-decision win on all three scorecards. He out-landed Yan 147-75 in whole strikes and secured 11 takedowns throughout 5 rounds, a efficiency that helped speed up his path to a UFC title shot.
The Georgian then prolonged his run by way of victories over Henry Cejudo, Sean O’Malley, Umar Nurmagomedov, O’Malley once more and Cory Sandhagen. His 14-fight successful streak ended when Yan defeated him by unanimous choice within the UFC 323 primary occasion at T-Cell Area in Las Vegas on December 6, 2025. Yan gained 49-46 on two scorecards and 48-47 on the third to reclaim the 135-pound title.
That consequence modified the collection rating to 1-1, with a 3rd contest now positioned to settle the rivalry and determine the championship.
Wooden didn’t provide excuses for Dvalishvili’s loss however mentioned his fighter entered the Yan rematch under full well being. He believes a greater camp and a wholesome Dvalishvili can produce a distinct exhibiting.
“That camp and that 12 months have been tough going into that final combat. I can let you know that. No excuses, and Merab won’t ever make excuses, however he positively wasn’t close to 100% going into that,” Wooden mentioned. “Simply having a wholesome Merab for this subsequent combat goes to alter issues so much. Clearly, Petr had certainly one of his finest nights ever, and we didn’t.”
Yan’s UFC 323 win halted Dvalishvili’s bid to develop into the primary UFC champion to make 4 profitable title defenses in a single calendar 12 months. Earlier than that assembly, Dvalishvili had defended in opposition to Nurmagomedov, O’Malley and Sandhagen throughout 2025.
Wooden described Yan as a demanding opponent and mentioned the staff will revisit each earlier fights in the hunt for changes. The coach pointed to the way in which a combat can change as soon as a competitor is damage, forcing reactions quite than a deliberate method.
“Recreation plans are sport plans till anyone cracks you tremendous arduous. Generally that sport plan goes out the window, and then you definately’re combating on intuition. I believe that sort of occurred in that combat, too,” Wooden mentioned. “We’re going to go on the market and have one other nice combat. Clearly, I really imagine that Merab’s getting that title again.”
Yan enters the possible trilogy bout because the champion, whereas Dvalishvili is searching for to reclaim a belt he held from September 2024 by way of UFC 323. Their historical past gives two sharply totally different five-round fights, which provides each camps direct proof to check earlier than the UFC finalizes the date and site.
