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.