Peter Yan in their trilogy fight.
Dvalishvili (21-6) dropped a unanimous decision to Yan (21-5) in the co-main event on Saturday.
UFC 333 At the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, where it failed to be reclaimed
Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title.
Merab Dvalishvili says he’s healthy and motivated to return after UFC 333 trilogy loss to Petr Yan
Dvalishvili won the first two rounds on all three scorecards with relentless wrestling pressure. However, Yan turned the tide in the third frame, securing takedowns and landing damaging leg kicks in the final three rounds. All three judges scored 48:47 in favor of the Russian champion.
In a statement posted on social media after the defeat, Dvalishvili thanked God, his coaches, training partners, the UFC and his supporters.
“First of all I want to thank God for truly blessing me and I am grateful! Next I want to thank my cornermen Aljamain Sterling, Davey Grant,
Zviad Lazishvili, John Wood for their help and dedication. I’m grateful to my Vegas teammates and training partners who always showed up and pushed me to the limit,” Dvalishvili wrote on X. “Thank you UFC for always giving me these opportunities! Last but certainly not least – my family, friends and fans – your support and love means the world to me! I can’t wait to get back in that cage doing what I love to do! I am healthy and motivated and will be back soon! This machine will never break! See you soon.”
Good day everyone! First of all I want to thank God for truly blessing me and I am grateful! Next I want to thank my cornermen @funkmasterMMA @DaveyGrantMMA @zviadlazishvili @bigwoodmma for their help and dedication. I am grateful to my Vegas teammates and training partners who always showed up and pushed me to my limits. Big thanks also to my New York crew @MattSerraUFC and @TrainingDaywRay and all my New York / Long Island guys!! Thank you @ufc for always giving me these opportunities! Last but certainly not least – my family, friends and fans – your support and love means the world to me! I can’t wait to get back in that cage doing what I love to do! I am healthy and motivated and will be back soon! This machine will never break! See you soon 🦾🦾❤️❤️
– Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil)
October 26, 2026
