Petr Yan’s comeback story is one of the most compelling recent journeys in UFC’s bantamweight division. After losing his championship and suffering three consecutive defeats, the Russian fighter worked his way back to the top and reclaimed the title in a rematch against Merab Dvalishvili.
Yan’s career has included championship success, controversial setbacks, injury concerns, and victories over elite opponents. His ability to recover from a difficult period has helped restore his position among the division’s leading fighters.
The next major chapter in this rivalry arrived at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on October 24, 2026, where Yan was scheduled to defend his bantamweight championship against Dvalishvili for the third time. The matchup followed their split results in the first two encounters and carried major implications for both fighters’ legacies.
According to the UFC’s official event coverage, the trilogy bout was part of the UFC 333 card at Etihad Arena.
How Petr Yan Rose to UFC Championship Glory
Yan established himself as a major contender through his technical striking, calculated aggression, and ability to adapt during fights. Ha shot and trained him an opportunity to compete for the vacant UFC bantamweight championship.
In July 2020, Yan defeated Brazilian legend José Aldo at UFC 251. He secured the victory with a fifth-round stoppage, becoming the undisputed champion in the 135-pound division.
The achievement confirmed Yan’s ability to compete at the highest level of mixed martial arts. His combination of boxing, defensive awareness, and powerful combinations made him a difficult opponent for other bantamweights.
However, his first championship reign ended in an unexpected way.
The Championship Loss That Changed Yan’s Career
In March 2021, Yan faced Aljamain Sterling at UFC 259. The championship fight took a dramatic turn when Yan landed an illegal knee against a grounded opponent.
The violation resulted in a disqualification loss, and Sterling became the UFC bantamweight champion.
The result was a major setback for Yan, particularly because the fight had been competitive before the incident. Nevertheless, the official result stood, forcing him to rebuild his championship campaign.
Yan responded by defeating Cory Sandhagen at UFC 267 in October 2021. The unanimous decision earned him the interim bantamweight title and set up another opportunity to become the undisputed champion.
Yet the following period proved far more difficult than expected.
Three Consecutive Defeats Tested Petr Yan
Yan’s career entered a challenging phase after his interim championship victory. He lost the title rematch against Sterling by split decision at UFC 273 in April 2022.
He then faced Sean O’Malley at UFC 280 in October 2022. The judges awarded O’Malley a split-decision victory in a closely contested fight.
Yan’s third consecutive defeat came against Dvalishvili in March 2023. Unlike the previous two contests, this matchup ended in a unanimous decision.
Dvalishvili’s relentless wrestling and sustained pressure created significant problems for Yan throughout the five-round contest. Yan later explained in an interview with CBS Sports that he had competed with a pre-existing broken right hand.
According to Yan, his team had considered withdrawing him from the fight, but he chose to compete.
The injury explanation provided context for his performance, although it did not change the official result. The loss nevertheless marked a turning point in his career.
For a former champion accustomed to winning, three consecutive defeats raised questions about whether he could return to the top of the division.
Petr Yan’s Road Back to the Top
Rather than allowing the losing streak to define his career, Yan returned to competition and began rebuilding his record.
He defeated Song Yadong at UFC 299 in March 2024, earning a unanimous decision. Later that year, he defeated former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC Macau.
Yan continued his recovery in July 2025 with another unanimous decision victory, this time against Marcus McGhee.
These performances helped restore his momentum and demonstrate that he remained a serious contender in the bantamweight division.
The defining moment of his comeback, however, came in December 2025.
At UFC 323, Yan faced Dvalishvili for the second time. The reigning champion entered the contest following an exceptional run of victories, while Yan had the opportunity to avenge his earlier defeat.
This time, Yan delivered a unanimous-decision victory, reclaiming the UFC bantamweight championship.
The official scorecards read 49-46, 49-46, and 48-47 in Yan’s favor. The result ended Dvalishvili’s championship reign and completed a significant reversal in their rivalry.
What Changed in the Second Fight Against Dvalishvili?
The contrast between the first two meetings highlighted Yan’s ability to adjust his strategy.
In their March 2023 encounter, Dvalishvili repeatedly used his wrestling to control the fight. His pace and repeated takedown attempts prevented Yan from consistently establishing his preferred striking rhythm.
The December 2025 rematch looked different.
Yan defended Dvalishvili’s wrestling more effectively and demonstrated greater success with his own grappling. He also targeted the body with kicks and punches, creating opportunities to land cleaner strikes.
These adjustments limited the effectiveness of Dvalishvili’s usual approach and allowed Yan to control important stretches of the contest.
The rematch offered a clear example of how preparation, health, and tactical changes can influence the outcome of a championship fight.
It also gave Yan a chance to demonstrate that his earlier defeat had not necessarily reflected the full extent of his abilities.
Petr Yan’s Mindset: Learning From Difficult Experiences
Yan has spoken about the importance of maintaining self-belief during challenging periods. In his interview with CBS Sports ahead of UFC 333, he discussed how his experiences could encourage people who doubt their own abilities.
His comments reflected a broader theme in his career: setbacks do not have to determine future results.
Yan has also explained that he does not dwell on the past. Rather than focusing on changing previous outcomes, he emphasized the importance of concentrating on what comes next.
That perspective is particularly relevant to his loss against Sterling. Although the disqualification remains a defining moment in his championship history, Yan eventually found another route to the title.
His comeback also illustrates an important distinction between a disappointing result and a fighter’s long-term potential. Close decisions, injuries, and tactical mistakes can affect a career, but subsequent performances can change how those setbacks are understood.
Why Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili III Matters
The third meeting between Yan and Dvalishvili represented more than another championship defense. It brought together two fighters whose careers had been closely connected since their first encounter in 2023.
Dvalishvili won their opening fight by unanimous decision, while Yan took the rematch and reclaimed the championship at UFC 323.
Their third contest at UFC 333 therefore offered an opportunity to establish a decisive advantage in the rivalry.
For Yan, the matchup presented a chance to strengthen his championship legacy after rebuilding his career. For Dvalishvili, it offered an opportunity to regain the belt he lost in the rematch.
The stylistic matchup remained central to the contest. Dvalishvili’s wrestling, pace, and conditioning had troubled Yan in their first meeting. Yan’s improved defensive wrestling and striking efficiency proved decisive in the second.
The third fight was expected to test whether Yan could maintain those improvements and whether Dvalishvili could find new ways to impose his preferred style.
Editorial note: UFC 333 took place on October 24, 2026. The available official event listing confirms the scheduled trilogy bout, but the final result should be checked against the UFC’s updated results and official scorecards before publishing this article as a post-fight report.
Petr Yan’s Comeback and His Place in UFC History
Yan’s return to the championship picture demonstrates the value of persistence in a highly competitive sport. His journey included a disqualification loss, two split-decision defeats, and a loss to a relentless wrestler before he eventually reclaimed the title.
His career also highlights the importance of technical development. The victory over Dvalishvili in their second meeting was not simply a reversal of the first result; it reflected meaningful differences in wrestling defense, offensive grappling, and striking.
Still, evaluating Yan’s place among the greatest UFC bantamweights requires more than one comeback. Championship defenses, the quality of his opponents, sustained performance, and the results of major fights all contribute to that discussion.
For now, his recovery from a three-fight losing streak remains a defining part of his professional story.
Yan’s path back to the championship shows that a difficult period does not have to mark the end of an elite career. His rivalry with Dvalishvili has provided the clearest evidence of that transformation, turning an early defeat into a championship opportunity and a remarkable second chapter.
