Merab Dvalishvili Awaits Rematch for Bantamweight Title
Merab Dvalishvili, the former UFC bantamweight champion, is eager to reclaim his title and has been promised a rematch by the promotion. The Georgian fighter recently revealed that the UFC has informed him that he will be next in line for a title shot, but the fight will not take place at the White House on June 14 as previously expected.
The reason for the change in plans is due to the UFC’s decision not to feature Russian fighters on the card, which includes Petr Yan, Dvalishvili’s opponent in the potential trilogy fight. Yan, who defeated Dvalishvili at UFC 323 to become the new champion, recently underwent lower back surgery and is expected to be out of action for a couple of months.
Dvalishvili, however, is not concerned about the delay and is willing to fight Yan at any location, including the UFC Apex. “One thing is for sure. UFC tells me this. I’m next for the title. They saw my hard work. I beat Petr in 2023. He beat me in 2025… But they told me this. I will fight, it’s not going to be the White House. But listen, guys, I don’t care. White House, Black House, yellow house, UFC Apex, or my backyard. This is our fight,” Dvalishvili said in a recent interview.
Merab Dvalishvili confirms his next fight is a trilogy with Petr Yan, but not at the White House:
“UFC tells me I’m next. I don’t care White House, Black House, yellow house, UFC Apex, or my backyard. This is our fight.” pic.twitter.com/F7kuuXy120
(via @Full_Violence) January 28, 2026
Petr Yan’s Injury and Recovery
Petr Yan, the current UFC bantamweight champion, recently underwent lower back surgery and is expected to be out of action for a couple of months. The Russian fighter informed his fans about the surgery via Instagram, stating, “I was under anesthesia for 9 hours. I had surgery on my lower back yesterday. A couple of months and I’ll be back in action.”
Petr Yan reveals he had lower back surgery yesterday and expects to return in a couple of months
“I was under anesthesia for 9 hours. I had surgery on my lower back yesterday. A couple of months and I’ll be back in action.”
(via @PetrYanUFC) pic.twitter.com/kCqUdJ9rwE
(via @ChampRDS) January 28, 2026
Merab Dvalishvili’s Title Reign and Loss
Merab Dvalishvili had a successful title reign in 2025, defending his belt three times. However, his attempt to create history by becoming the first champion to log four successful defenses in a year was thwarted by Petr Yan at UFC 323. Despite the loss, Dvalishvili has been praised by the UFC for being a company man and the most active champion, and has been promised a rematch by Dana White.
The highly anticipated trilogy fight between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan will have to wait due to Yan’s injury and recovery. However, fans can expect an exciting matchup when the two fighters finally face off again, with Dvalishvili looking to reclaim his title and Yan aiming to defend his belt for the first time in his second reign.
