Petr Yan still has plenty of unfinished business hanging over his head as he prepares for his upcoming clash, and he is fully intent on putting those lingering questions to rest once and for all when he steps into the Octagon against Merab Dvalishvili for a high-stakes third encounter at UFC 333 on Saturday night.
The bantamweight champion of the world finds himself locked in one of the most compelling and fiercely contested rivalries of this modern era of mixed martial arts. While Dvalishvili undoubtedly has his own strategic blueprint mapped out for how this trilogy fight is supposed to unfold under the bright lights, Yan remains entirely unbothered by whatever his longtime rival is cooking up behind closed doors. Instead, during a candid and fiery appearance at the official media day on Wednesday, Yan made it clear that his focus is absolute, while also taking the opportunity to sound off on the promotion’s ongoing promotional favoritism toward Sean O’Malley.
From the complex task of finally settling the score with a foe who knows him as well as anyone on the roster to openly accusing the UFC brass of fiercely protecting its biggest financial investments, Yan did not hold back a single thought when addressing the assembled media members.
"It’s his own thoughts, it’s his own ideas, his own plan," Yan told reporters through a professional translator during Wednesday’s media session, addressing Dvalishvili’s tactical preparations for the weekend. "I’m not really interested in what he has to do. I have a plan, and my plan is to come out there and win."
With Yan and Dvalishvili having split their first two high-profile encounters inside the Octagon, the necessity of a trilogy fight became an almost undeniable reality for the matchmakers. This third meeting gives both elite competitors the definitive opportunity to settle the score once and for all, erasing any lingering ambiguity about who truly reigns supreme in the bantamweight division. For Yan, however, this upcoming third fight carries a much deeper psychological and professional weight. It is not merely about proving to the judges and the fans who happens to be the better mixed martial artist on any given Saturday night; it is equally about closing a demanding and exhausting chapter of his professional career so he can finally move forward without looking over his shoulder.
"(This trilogy) is also very important," Yan explained, emphasizing the emotional closure that victory would provide. "It’s very important to finish this chapter and turn the page."
Yet, even with a monumental championship trilogy fight looming just days away, Yan’s frustrations extended far beyond the immediate threat posed by Dvalishvili. The Russian standout made it clear that he is far from thrilled with the UFC’s continued, persistent efforts to keep Sean O’Malley locked firmly into the bantamweight title picture, particularly when he genuinely believes that other contenders, such as surging powerhouse Song Yadong, have done considerably more inside the cage to legitimately earn a coveted shot at the divisional belt.
The reigning champion offered a remarkably unfiltered critique when the conversation naturally shifted toward O’Malley and the preferential treatment the colorful American star has seemingly enjoyed throughout his ascent through the rankings. Yan didn’t mince words, directly accusing the promotion of coddling its top financial asset, heavily protecting its corporate investment, and working aggressively to milk its biggest box-office stars for every ounce of commercial value they possess, regardless of sporting merit.
"I think Song Yadong is really more deserving of a title fight, to be honest, but for me I’m not the one who decides it," Yan remarked, highlighting the intricate dynamics of matchmaking at the elite level of the sport. "Whoever is going to be offered to me by the UFC, by the promotion, that is who I’m going to fight. The UFC has already been trying to pull Sean O’Malley by his bootstraps since the very beginning."
Yan’s sharp critique didn’t stop at mere favoritism; he used vivid and colorful language to describe how the organization has nurtured O’Malley’s career trajectory, comparing the promotion’s nurturing of the former champion to agricultural investment designed solely for maximum financial harvest.
"They gave him two free fights against the champ when it was Merab," Yan continued, pointing to the structural advantages he believes O’Malley has been handed. "They’ve raised this chicken to lay eggs for so long and they’re trying to squeeze as many eggs out of it as possible now. We all understand where we are right? This is show business, correct?"
The candid remarks highlight the constant tension that exists between pure athletic meritocracy and the stark economic realities of modern prize fighting, where superstar power and pay-per-view drawing potential often run parallel to—and sometimes override—raw divisional rankings. For Yan, the business side of the sport is an undeniable reality that every professional fighter must navigate, but his immediate and undivided attention remains entirely locked on the physical battle awaiting him inside the cage.
As fight week rolls on and the anticipation for UFC 333 reaches a fever pitch, the narrative surrounding the main card continues to be shaped by the fierce personalities, lingering rivalries, and unyielding competitive drives of the athletes involved. Whether Yan can successfully turn the page on his historic rivalry with Dvalishvili, and how the bantamweight landscape will ultimately shift in the aftermath of Saturday night’s championship showdown, remains one of the most compelling storylines of the year.
Fans can watch the entire media day scrum with Petr Yan above, as he prepares to defend his bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili in what promises to be an unforgettable trilogy bout at UFC 333 this Saturday night.
