Merab Dvalishvili Urges Petr Yan to Finalize Trilogy Bout: "Are You Alive?"

Merab Dvalishvili, a prominent contender in the UFC bantamweight division, has publicly called out Petr Yan, expressing his frustration over the perceived delay in finalizing a trilogy fight. Dvalishvili believes that it is Yan who is holding up the negotiations for their highly anticipated third encounter.

The two fighters have a history, with Yan defeating Dvalishvili by unanimous decision in their most recent bout at UFC 323 to reclaim the bantamweight championship. Despite the presence of other strong contenders like Sean O’Malley and Umar Nurmagomedov, UFC matchmakers are reportedly keen on setting up Yan vs. Dvalishvili 3 as the next bantamweight title fight. However, Dvalishvili's potential return was previously impacted by a fractured nose earlier this year.

According to Dvalishvili, he is ready to compete sooner than anticipated, and he has directed a pointed message towards the reigning bantamweight champion. In a recent social media post on Threads, Dvalishvili wrote, "Petr, it's been a long time since I’ve seen you! Are you alive?" He further added, "I’ve been waiting since Springtime. Let me know when you’re coming back, I kinda miss you."

As of now, Petr Yan has not responded to Dvalishvili's direct message. Prior to UFC 323, Dvalishvili had established himself as a formidable force in MMA, securing significant victories over notable opponents such as O’Malley, Cory Sandhagen, and Henry Cejudo. Their initial fight at a UFC Fight Night event in 2023 saw Dvalishvili dominate Yan.

Recent speculation suggests that Yan vs. Dvalishvili 3 could be added to upcoming UFC events, potentially the promotion's return to Abu Dhabi in October for UFC 333, or possibly UFC 332 before the event in Salt Lake City, Utah. Regardless of the exact date, the third bout between Yan and Dvalishvili is considered a compelling matchup that fans are eagerly awaiting, and an official announcement may be imminent.

Merab Dvalishvili Accuses Petr Yan of Stalling Trilogy Talks: “Are You Alive?”

Merab Dvalishvili is putting pressure on Petr Yan to agree to their trilogy fight, questioning if the former champion is still active. Dvalishvili expressed his eagerness to face Yan for a third time, suggesting that Yan is the reason for the ongoing delay in negotiations.

"Petr, it's been a long time since I’ve seen you! Are you alive?" Dvalishvili posted on Threads. "I’ve been waiting since Springtime. Let me know when you’re coming back, I kinda miss you."

The potential third fight between the two bantamweights is rumored to be in the works, despite other contenders making strong cases for a title shot. Dvalishvili, who has had a history of injuries, including a recent broken nose, is reportedly ready to go, but believes Yan is the one holding things up.

Dvalishvili had a dominant performance against Yan in their first fight, but Yan managed to defeat him by unanimous decision at UFC 323 to regain the bantamweight title. Now, Dvalishvili seems eager to settle the score once and for all.