As the mixed martial arts world turns its attention toward the upcoming pay-per-view spectacle, former bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has made his intentions abundantly clear. Known universally inside the sport as "The Machine," the Georgian standout is preparing for a high-stakes trilogy bout against Petr Yan, which serves as the co-main event of UFC 333 later this month. Far from playing it safe following the setback that cost him his championship crown, Dvalishvili is doubling down on a more aggressive approach as he looks to reclaim the throne.
The rivalry between Dvalishvili and Yan has been one of the defining narratives of the UFC’s bantamweight division over the past few years. Their history inside the octagon includes multiple memorable encounters, culminating most recently in a fiercely contested rematch at UFC 323. In that championship affair, Yan managed to turn the tide and dethrone Dvalishvili, handing "The Machine" a bitter loss and bringing an end to his dominant reign atop the division.
In the immediate aftermath of that defeat, Dvalishvili’s coaching staff addressed the strategic shift that had preceded the fight. According to his camp, the team had encouraged "The Machine" to actively chase finishes and pursue knockouts during his previous title defenses, steering away from his historically relentless, decision-oriented grappling pace. However, because that specific tactical adjustment did not yield the desired result against a seasoned and precise striker like Yan, initial discussions suggested that the team might revert to a more familiar game plan for future bouts—allowing Dvalishvili to lean entirely into his suffocating, high-volume wrestling and cardio-heavy style for a grueling 25 minutes.
Despite the tactical reassessments discussed by his coaches, Dvalishvili’s personal mindset remains remarkably steadfast. A championship setback has done nothing to extinguish his desire to secure decisive stoppages inside the cage. Speaking candidly during a recent exclusive interview with Stake, Dvalishvili revealed that he has no intention of changing his overarching ambition when he steps across the canvas to face Yan for the third time.
"I want to keep it simple against Yan at UFC 333," Dvalishvili told Stake, before delivering a stark and unmistakable warning to his rival. "I want to break his face and try to knock him out. Last time it didn’t work out, but I think this time it will."
That chilling declaration sets the stage for what promises to be another violent and tactical war of attrition between two of the elite competitors in the 135-pound weight class. While Dvalishvili’s trademark relentless pressure and suffocating wrestling output have historically overwhelmed almost every opponent he has faced, his determination to stand and trade or hunt for concussive blows against a technical master like Yan adds an unpredictable element to the co-main event matchup.
Should Dvalishvili successfully execute his game plan at UFC 333, avenge his loss, and secure the bantamweight championship for a second time, the division’s landscape will shift dramatically once again. Already looking past the immediate hurdle of the trilogy, "The Machine" has a clear vision for the future and knows precisely who he wants to share the octagon with next.
In the same interview with Stake, Dvalishvili outlined his prospective timeline and future challengers, expressing a strong desire to test himself against one of the division’s surging contenders.
"Yes, it’s easy to say it now, but god willing, when I win against Petr, I will fight Song Yadong next," Dvalishvili stated. "We’ve never fought each other, and he’s the next best."
Song Yadong has quietly and methodically carved out a prominent place for himself among the elite of the bantamweight division. The hard-hitting Chinese contender enters the broader championship conversation following an impressive run of form, highlighted by a stellar two-fight winning streak. Most recently, Song cemented his status as a legitimate title threat at UFC Shanghai, where he delivered a devastating performance that put fellow contender Umar Nurmagomedov away in spectacular fashion. That knockout sent shockwaves through the division, immediately catching the attention of the reigning champions, top-tier contenders, and promotion matchmakers alike.
Dvalishvili is under no illusions regarding the kind of challenge Song presents. Acknowledging the raw athleticism and concussive power that earned the Chinese fighter the moniker "Kung Fu Kid," the former champion respects the distinct weapons Song brings into the cage. Yet, true to his competitive nature, the veteran contender is eager to embrace the risk.
"I think we all know he has knockout power," Dvalishvili said of potential future opponent Song Yadong. "It’ll be a great fight, a risky and challenging one, but I’m ready for it."
For now, however, all of Dvalishvili’s immediate focus, physical preparation, and mental energy remain squarely fixed on Petr Yan. As the combat sports world counts down the days to UFC 333, the stakes could not be higher. With a championship legacy on the line, a fierce personal rivalry being contested for the third time, and a clear path toward future defenses already mapped out in his mind, Merab Dvalishvili is stepping into the octagon ready to prove that his championship era is far from over.
