The bantamweight standout is currently scheduled for a high-stakes return to the Octagon, where he will challenge Petr Yan for the bantamweight title in a trilogy bout at UFC 333. The championship event is set to take place on October 24 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, drawing intense interest from mixed martial arts fans and analysts worldwide as two of the division’s elite athletes prepare to settle their ongoing rivalry once and for all.
When a fan recently approached the champion and asked him to predict the outcome of the upcoming championship clash, the former titleholder leaned into his well-known reputation, jokingly suggesting another grueling decision victory rather than an explosive early stoppage.
Merab Dvalishvili jokes about his decision-heavy record ahead of Petr Yan title fight at UFC 333
Dvalishvili has carved out his legendary status in the Ultimate Fighting Championship through sheer perseverance, relentless cardiovascular conditioning, suffocating wrestling pressure, and an unmatched ability to push a punishing pace for all twenty-five minutes of a championship fight. These signature traits have defined his professional mixed martial arts career, during which 16 of his 21 career victories have come by way of the judges’ scorecards.
Despite his reputation as a high-volume grappler who typically wears down opponents over the course of three or five rounds rather than putting them away early, the Georgian powerhouse has occasionally flashed devastating power and technical submission skills inside the Octagon. To date, Dvalishvili has recorded two notable finishes under the UFC banner: a memorable and brutal technical knockout victory over veteran contender Marlon Moraes in 2021, followed by a clinical and dominant submission of Sean O’Malley during his second successful title defense last year.
Yet, rather than shying away from jokes about his statistically lower finishing rate, Dvalishvili openly embraces the moniker of a high-output fighter who relies on volume, conditioning, and overwhelming grappling exchanges to secure victory. When asked directly by an inquiring fan how he planned to defeat Yan in their third encounter, Dvalishvili leaned into the humor, candidly describing himself with a smile as a "decision machine."
The lighthearted exchange was captured on video and quickly circulated across social media platforms, highlighting the champion’s relaxed demeanor and self-awareness ahead of one of the most anticipated rematches of the year.
"There are three ways to win: knockout, submission, or decision," Dvalishvili said during a brief interview addressing the fan’s question. "I’m a decision machine."
The lighthearted quote immediately resonated with followers of the sport, sparking online discussions and meme creation across platforms like Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter. MMA fan accounts and reporters quickly amplified the clip, pointing out that while Dvalishvili’s self-assessment is humorous, it is also rooted in the grueling fighting style that has made him one of the most dominant and difficult-to-solve champions in the history of the UFC’s bantamweight division.
As the calendar ticks closer to October 24, all eyes will be fixed on the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi as Dvalishvili steps back into the cage to face Petr Yan once again. Whether the grueling championship contest ultimately ends in a dramatic finish or extends to the judges’ scorecards in typical fashion, the champion’s fans know they can expect an unforgettable display of championship heart, relentless pressure, and perhaps even another signature performance from mixed martial arts’ most famous decision machine.
