Dvalishvili to face Petr Yan in bantamweight title trilogy at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi
Merab Dvalishvili will challenge bantamweight champion Petr Yan at UFC 333 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 24, with the pair level at one win each. Dvalishvili told two Abu Dhabi-focused outlets that a fuller camp and lessons from the December loss will make the difference.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Merab Dvalishvili will face Petr Yan for a third time at UFC 333 at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi, on Oct. 24, with the series level at one win apiece. Arab NewsRC “when he faces Petr Yan for a third time at UFC 333: Volkanovski vs Evloev in Abu Dhabi on Oct. 24” Read at Arab News ↗ The NationalN “The head-to-head reads one win apiece” Read at The National ↗ Right · 1Arab News reports the bantamweight fight is the co-main event, with Yan the current champion and Dvalishvili trying to reclaim the title; the headline bout is Alexander Volkanovski defending the featherweight title against the undefeated Movsar Evloev. Arab NewsRC “Dvalishvili will challenge current champion Yan in the co-main event at Etihad Arena, with featherweight champion Alexander Volkanovski defending his title against undefeated No. 1 contender Movsar Evloev” Read at Arab News ↗ Centre · 1Dvalishvili won the first fight, about two years before the rematch, on the judges' scorecards. Yan won the rematch in Las Vegas by unanimous decision, ending Dvalishvili's 14-fight win streak. The NationalN “Yan had vowed to be better than in their first meeting two years earlier, where he lost on the judges’ scorecards.”“His loss to Yan ended a 14-fight win streak” Read at The National ↗
Centre · 1The National reports that Dvalishvili had defended the title four times in 2025 and took the rematch only two months after beating Corey Sandhagen. Dvalishvili told the outlet that accepting it was a mistake because there was little time to recover or complete a full camp, and said they ended up "fighting Yan's fight". The NationalN “Dvalishvili opted to fight again, this time rematching with Yan, a mere two months after Sandhagen.”“I was fighting Yan's fight” Read at The National ↗ Centre · 1Dvalishvili, 35 and 21-5, has fought only once this year. The National says neither fighter has competed since the Las Vegas bout 10 months ago. The fighter says they have had plenty of rest and a full camp and want to "avenge my loss". The NationalN “Neither has fought since that Las Vegas showdown 10 months ago.”“I want my belt back. I want to avenge my loss.” Read at The National ↗ Right · 1Speaking to Arab News, Dvalishvili promised to be "much sharper, much focused, much hungry, much dangerous", called Yan "the most dangerous guy in my weight class right now", and said they were ready for "a 25-minute war" and would accept a decision win if no finish came. Arab NewsRC “You guys are going to see me much sharper, much focused, much hungry, much dangerous”“I’m ready for a 25-minute war” Read at Arab News ↗
Mixed · 2Dvalishvili said they supported Yan getting another title shot despite already holding a win over Yan. They expect a grappler-versus-striker contest and acknowledged Yan may draw more support in Abu Dhabi, where it will be Dvalishvili's first fight and Yan's fourth. Arab NewsRC “I was the one who said Petr Yan deserves to fight for the belt.” Read at Arab News ↗ The NationalN “This will be Dvalishvili’s first time fighting in the UAE capital and Yan’s fourth.” Read at The National ↗ Right · 1Arab News says UFC 333 will be the 24th UFC event in the capital since the UFC and Abu Dhabi's Department of Culture and Tourism began a partnership in 2019. It also notes that Song Yadong's recent win over Umar Nurmagomedov makes Song a possible next challenger, and Dvalishvili named Song as the next target if they regain the belt. Arab NewsRC “UFC 333 set to be the 24th UFC event staged in the capital.”“First I have to beat Yan and then after it has to be Song Yadong for sure.” Read at Arab News ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- A profile of Dvalishvili's comeback built around the reasons for the loss to Yan and the fighter's personality outside the cage.
- Emphasis
- The overloaded 2025 schedule, Dvalishvili's admissions about the loss, social media comedy and friendship with Aljamain Sterling.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not name the Volkanovski-Evloev main event in the text or Song Yadong's rise.
- Charged language
- “rag-dolling”“Petr was perfect”
- For example
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“By his own admission, accepting the fight was a mistake, leaving Dvalishvili with little time to rest, recover and fit in a full camp.” — The National
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- A promotional preview led by Dvalishvili's quotes about a "25-minute war", with event details and ticket information.
- Emphasis
- Fight-week quotes, the card line-up, the UFC-Abu Dhabi partnership and the next-contender picture around Song Yadong.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gives little detail on why the second fight was lost beyond a brief acknowledgment of fighting Yan's fight, and omits the 2025 title-defence schedule.
- Charged language
- “25-minute war”“decision machine”
- For example
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“Limited tickets are still available via Ticketmaster.ae.” — Arab News
What every side reports
- Dvalishvili and Yan meet for a third time at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, with one win each.
- Yan won the second fight by decision, ending Dvalishvili's win streak.
- It will be Dvalishvili's first fight in Abu Dhabi.
- Dvalishvili says they are better prepared and want the bantamweight title back.
Merab Dvalishvili person
Says the rematch loss came from poor preparation after a short turnaround, that they are now sharper and fully prepared, and that they want revenge and the belt back.
“I know what mistakes I made [in the second fight], and I know how to beat him” — The National
“Petr Yan is a top opponent. It’s hard to beat him, but I believe I will beat him.” — Arab News
Petr Yan person
Described as the current champion who beat Dvalishvili with boxing, takedown defence and body shots in the rematch. No direct comments from Yan appear in the coverage.
“consummate boxing, outstanding takedown defence and devastating body shots saw him take a unanimous decision” — The National
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Merab Dvalishvili vows to avenge Petr Yan defeat and reclaim UFC title in Abu Dhabi
Sympathetic Profile presenting Dvalishvili as a humbled but determined former champion seeking redemption.
Right1 article
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‘I’m ready for a 25-minute war’: Dvalishvili relishing UFC 333 trilogy with Yan in Abu Dhabi
Neutral Event preview built on Dvalishvili's fight-week quotes, with card details and ticket information.
- 9 Oct 05:13 First The NationalN Merab Dvalishvili vows to avenge Petr Yan defeat and reclaim UFC title in Abu Dhabi
- 10 Oct 14:06 +32h 52m Arab NewsRC ‘I’m ready for a 25-minute war’: Dvalishvili relishing UFC 333 trilogy with Yan in Abu Dhabi
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.