Former Champ Says UFC Targeting Trilogy Bout in New Year

Merab Dvalishvili (21-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC) can take the rest of the year off in the wake of his defeat to new UFC Bantamweight Champion Petr Yan (20-5 MMA, 12-4 UFC) last Saturday night. The promotion wants the now-former king of the mountain at 135 to take off as much time as he thinks he needs.

Saturday’s fight at UFC 323 was a rematch of a March 2023 main event at a UFC Fight Night at the UFC Apex. That night almost three years ago, Dvalishvili went the distance with Yan, coming away the victor after 25 minutes of action.

The final pay-per-view event of the year saw the all-time series between Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan get even at 1-1. With the calendar set to turn to 2026 in a few weeks,…