Bold claim: Merab Dvalishvili is redefining what it means to be a busy champion in UFC history, and the pattern is becoming the norm. The bantamweight king is back in Las Vegas, gearing up for his fourth title defense of 2025 in the UFC 323 main event against Petr Yan. This may sound extraordinary, but for a fighter nicknamed “The Machine,” it’s increasingly routine.
This Saturday marks Dvalishvili’s fourth title defense of the year and his second in just three months, following a win over Cory Sandhagen at the start of October. That victory came only four months after he submitted “Suga” Sean O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 316, a result that followed his decisive win over Umar Nurmagomedov—the first loss of Nurmagomedov’s career—and his first successful title defense back in January at UFC 311.
It’s an unprecedented stretch, yet it aligns with the champion’s stated plan even before he agreed to face Sandhagen: stay active as a champion and keep pushing the pace.
“It feels good to be back,” Dvalishvili said on Tuesday, just days before the rematch with Yan. “I like to stay busy, and aside from the weight cuts, everything is beautiful.”
The fighter’s enthusiasm for a packed schedule isn’t just about ego; it reflects a strategic mindset. He’s already talking about repeating this level of activity next year, a goal that seems plausible given how he’s elevated his pace since taking the throne at Noche UFC in Las Vegas.
It’s easy to assume his schedule has always looked like this because he’s been so visible since becoming champion. In reality, before this year, he’d never fought four times in a single calendar year and had only logged three bouts in one 12-month period in 2020.
So what’s driving the surge in activity for the 34-year-old? Dvalishvili attributes it to a deep love for fighting and MMA, plus a gratitude for the UFC platform. He emphasizes that every fight is meaningful—especially when defending a title—and he’s candid about the process of staying busy being a conscious choice rather than a happy accident.
“I love fighting, and I love MMA,” he explains. “I’m grateful to fight in the UFC. Each fight is important to me, especially when defending my belt. My plan was to stay busy, and the UFC is giving me that opportunity. Injuries and lifestyle challenges are part of the game, but they don’t derail me. I love the fighting process.”
While being a frequent presence in the Octagon is routine by now, Saturday’s main event carries extra weight. Yan isn’t just any challenger; he earned a string of victories and earned a unanimous decision over Marcus McGhee, adding to earlier wins over Song Yadong and Deiveson Figueiredo. Dvalishvili identifies Yan as the most deserving opponent for this moment, specifically noting his three-win streak and the hunger to avenge his earlier defeat.
Their first encounter, in 2023, looked like a turning point for both men. Dvalishvili was riding an eight-fight winning streak and climbing toward the top, while Yan had faltered, dropping two in a row. What began as a crossroads fight evolved into a one-sided showcase for Dvalishvili, who dominated every judge’s scorecard and landed a remarkable 11 takedowns on 49 attempts. Yan was dealing with injuries at the time, but he’s promised a different result this weekend.
Dvalishvili agrees that this rematch won’t be one-sided. “I should not relax. I can’t relax,” he says. “I beat him the first time, and now I must bring the same energy. This guy is very dangerous, and I expect a very good fight that won’t be one-sided like last time.”
If the mindset holds, Dvalishvili isn’t counting on an easy night. He’s focused on tightening his discipline for weight, executing a flawless plan, and defending the belt against the best the division has to offer.
Looking ahead, he keeps the door open for future opportunities—whether it’s more fights this year or potential moves in the future. He’s clear that a fourth title defense this year would be historic: the first champion to defend four times in one year, and perhaps the first to defend four times in back-to-back years if the trend continues.
Yet a second title run isn’t his primary goal right now. He’s content defending the bantamweight title and facing top contenders. If the UFC presents a chance to switch weight classes or pursue a super-fight, he’s open to it, but his current priority remains within his division and against elite challengers like Petr Yan.
“I’m happy with where I am now,” he says. “I want to defend my belt. My focus is on a top opponent like Petr Yan, and we have other contenders in the division. After this, we’ll reassess.”
UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 is set for Las Vegas, with the event airing from the T-Mobile Arena. Early prelims begin in the early evening, followed by the prelims and a main card that streams on PPV. This bout—the title fight that may redefine what it means to be consistently active at the championship level—promises an electric chapter in the ongoing story of Merab Dvalishvili.
