Honestly, nobody thought it would happen. For years, the narrative around the bantamweight division was basically just a list of victims being drowned by a Georgian hurricane. Merab Dvalishvili didn't just win fights; he dismantled spirits. But then came December 6, 2025. Merab Dvalishvili last fight against Petr Yan at UFC 323 was supposed to be the coronation of the greatest single-year run in UFC history. Instead, it was a reminder that in this sport, the "unbeatable" tag has a very short shelf life.
By the time the cage door closed at T-Mobile Arena, Merab was looking to make history as the first champion to defend a belt four times in one calendar year. He’d already steamrolled through Umar Nurmagomedov, choked out Sean O'Malley in their Newark rematch, and out-grinded Cory Sandhagen. He looked like a glitch in the Matrix. Then Petr Yan showed up with a game plan that felt like it was designed in a lab to kill a machine.
The Night The Streak Snapped
If you watched the fight, you saw something rare. For the first time in a decade, Merab looked... human. Usually, the "The Machine" starts at 100 mph and ends at 110. But Yan, who had lost a lopsided decision to Merab back in 2023, clearly spent the intervening years obsessing over that loss.
The most shocking part? Yan actually matched Merab's pace.
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It wasn't just the takedown defense, though that was stellar (Yan stuffed 20 out of 22 attempts). It was the way Yan punished the entries. Every time Merab shot in, he wasn't just meeting a wall; he was meeting knees and short uppercuts that bloodied his face by the second round. Merab Dvalishvili last fight wasn't a boring tactical chess match—it was a high-speed collision where the other guy finally had better brakes.
Breaking Down the Scorecards
The judges ended up turning in scores of 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47, all for Petr Yan. If you're a Merab fan, that 48-47 might feel a bit generous. The reality is that Yan took the championship rounds (4 and 5) with such authority that the outcome was never really in doubt when the final horn sounded.
- Round 1: Classic Merab. Constant movement, one successful takedown, and enough pressure to make you think it was going to be a long night for the Russian.
- Round 3: The momentum shift. Yan started digging to the body. He remembered what Sean O'Malley discovered in the closing seconds of the first O'Malley-Merab fight—Dvalishvili can be hurt in the midsection.
- Round 5: Total dominance by Yan. He was the one moving forward. He was the one landing the heavy leather. Merab looked desperate, shooting for singles from way too far out.
It's kinda wild when you think about it. Merab entered the cage with a 14-fight winning streak. He hadn't lost since that controversial "did he or didn't he" technical submission against Ricky Simón back in 2018. To see that streak end in a fight where he was the heavy betting favorite felt like a glitch.
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Why Merab Dvalishvili Last Fight Still Matters
A lot of people are already calling for the trilogy. And why wouldn't they? They're 1-1 now. But there's a bigger story here about the physical toll of Merab’s style. His coach, John Wood, had mentioned that Merab was sparring five rounds on the day of his fights. That’s insane. You have to wonder if the 2025 schedule—four title fights in twelve months—finally caught up to his central nervous system.
Even a machine needs an oil change.
Merab mentioned in a post-fight video (translated from Georgian) that he didn't suffer any "serious" injuries, but the face we saw at the post-fight presser told a different story. He was lumped up. He was tired. He looked like a man who had been sprinting for 365 days and finally hit a wall.
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What Happens Next?
The UFC is already eyeing a 2026 trilogy. Dana White reportedly told Merab to "rest as long as you want," which usually means "we'll see you in the summer."
But the landscape has changed. Before Merab Dvalishvili last fight, he was the undisputed king of the mountain. Now, he's a contender again. He’s back in the mix with guys like Deiveson Figueiredo and a surging Joshua Van. The path back to the belt isn't a straight line anymore.
Key Insights for Fans:
- Watch the bodywork: If you go back and re-watch the tape, look at Yan’s left hook to the liver. It's the blueprint for beating Merab.
- The Takedown Myth: Merab’s takedown percentage in this fight was roughly 9%. That is a staggering drop from his career average. It proves that elite-level defensive wrestling can eventually solve the "Machine" puzzle.
- Activity vs. Longevity: Merab tried to do what no one else could—defend four times in a year. He nearly did it, but the cost was his title.
If you’re looking to follow Merab’s comeback, keep an eye on his social media for a potential April or May return. He’s already back in the gym at Syndicate MMA, because honestly, that guy doesn’t know how to do anything else. He’s probably sparring right now.
The most important next step for any fan is to go back and watch the fourth round of UFC 323. It’s the highest level of MMA you will see—two of the best in the world refusing to give an inch until the physiological limits of the human body take over.