Trilogy time… Peter Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili is finally here!
The bitter bantamweight rivalry will come to its conclusion today (Saturday, October 24, 2026) at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, when the reigning and former champions collide for the third (and likely final) time at UFC 333 (full results here).
There is there is no shortage of history between these two elite 135-lb. Dvalishvili absolutely dominated their first matchwhile Yan responded with a gritty performance in a rematch that left “The Machine” battered and bloody.
Now that their trilogy fight is finally kicking off, both men have a chance to settle their price once and for all.
Bragging aside, the stakes are huge for the UFC Bantamweight division. Dvalishvili has built one of the most impressive championship resumes in recent UFC history, while Yan remains one of the most technically gifted and accomplished fighters at 135 pounds. By the time the final horn sounds, one man’s legacy will receive another major boost, while another’s claim to bantamweight greatness could take a hit.
Follow along below for “Yan vs. Dvalishvili 3” live scores, round-by-round updates and our full fight recap below:
A worthy challenger, Merab made it to the octagon first, circling the octagon with gusto, waiting for Yan to make his way. And that’s exactly what he did moments later with his two sons sending the dynamic Russian forward to the cage. The referee in charge of the five-round championship showdown was Jason Herzog. And after iconic introductions from Bruce Buffer, we went off and hit…
Merab started the action with a low kick that almost took Yan off his feet. Moments later, Merab landed a hard right cross and went in for a single leg takedown, but Yan was able to twist out. Undeterred, Merab was back for another takedown, circling Yan’s back but the Russian was able to stay upright. Merab continued his frantic pressure, grabbing the other leg and putting Yan on his knee, biting once more, he was able to escape. Merab continued to throw feints and punches like crazy, and Yan finally squeaked by with a left cross. Straight from Merab, which Yan ducks and then defends another high crotch takedown. With only 90 seconds left in the round, Yan had only thrown six punches! Merab was finally able to take Yan down, but he quickly got back to his feet only to be taken to the mat moments later. He managed to get on all fours, Merab rode up to the horn. Domination early on from the former champion.
Merab was still as energetic as ever between rounds as Yan needed to gain momentum before falling too far behind. He landed a nice right hand to start the second stanza, then another combination, with Merab countering with a hard jab. Then, with only one minute left on the clock, he had Yan wrapped again. Yan got to his feet but was thrown back to the canvas. Yan was actually able to back up on the ground and land a few solid shots as Merab stood up. Merab had another takedown, he was relentless – 13 takedowns in six minutes! Merab was able to get behind Yan and drop him to the canvas at the cage. Yan was able to escape again, but the Russian was just in full shellacked defense mode for 1.5 rounds. Nice combination from Yan, 90 seconds left in the round, Merab hit a nice overhand. Yan was able to respond with a nice left hand, but he dropped Yan to the canvas again, drilling him with a knee to the midsection. Yan tried to corner him along the cage, but Merab had been through too much in 10 minutes. Another round in the bank for Merab.
Merab lands a nice right hand to start the third round while Yan looked a little out of gas. Yan chased Merab down the cage early, but all he got was wrapped up in another Georgia pretzel down the cage. Merab with a nice knee on the break, racking up an insane 20 takedown attempts. Yan with a hard left to Merab’s gut, defending a takedown in the middle of the cage… two in a row. Merab has 50 significant strikes, so it wasn’t just all takedowns. Yan continued to chase Merab around the cage with not much success, but he was definitely doing better in the defense department. Yan landed a hard uppercut, his best of the fight, but Merab didn’t even flinch. Yan tried to trap him along the fence once more, landed another hard liver kick, but Merab just smiled and fired off another takedown. Yan landed his first real combo and put Merab on the bike, but Merab again seemed distracted. Would you give this round to Yan?
Merab has fired 32 takedowns before the start of the fourth round – insane. Merab continued his attack and Yan continued to defend better as the fight progressed. Nice kick from Yan, then another as Merab continued to bait the champion with feints. Nce right hand from Yan, then a hard left hook to the body as Merab finally seemed to slow down. Merab really went after the takedown, got Yan over his back, but again couldn’t do much with it. Yan more or less turned the fight around at this point, managing to stay upright as Merab’s takedowns wore off – his face starting to look hurt. Nice back and forth barrage to close out the round. Yan definitely got it, seemingly even into the fifth and final frame!
What. A. Fight! Merab came out swinging, hitting a hard right cross from the goal. Another big right hand from Merab, mixing in low kicks, with Yan diving for a takedown along the fence that now went nowhere. Merab had over 50 takedown attempts at this point, but couldn’t do much with them. Merab was the busier fighter of late, but Yan landed another solid punch to the gut. High kick from Merab that was blocked as Yan continued to chase Merab’s liver. Yan’s jumping knee that partially landed and the body kick follow-up really seemed to affect Merabi. The pair trade big left hooks late, Yan lands another big kick to the body. Straight from Yan, then another kick to the body as the final horn sounded.
Final result: Yan defeats Dvalishvili by unanimous decision
