Petr Yan is heading back into one of the most familiar settings of his UFC career, and this time the stakes are even higher. On Saturday, October 24, he will face Merab Dvalishvili for the undisputed bantamweight title at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, in a rematch that carries championship history as well as the weight of a trilogy fight.
For Yan, the location will bring back strong memories. He won the undisputed 135-pound title in Abu Dhabi in 2020, stopping José Aldo in the fifth round at UFC 251, and he has now fought there four previous times. Yan said he has won belts in two of those four appearances in the UAE, and he clearly feels comfortable returning to a place where he has already delivered on the biggest stage.
Yan's Abu Dhabi record gives the fight extra meaning
Yan was upbeat about being back in the UAE, saying he was really happy to be there once again and that he enjoys the atmosphere in Abu Dhabi. He added that it feels right at home and suggested his winning streak on the island will continue. For a fighter preparing for another title shot, that kind of familiarity matters.
There is also the obvious competitive point: Yan has already shown he can win big fights in Abu Dhabi. That 2020 victory over Aldo changed the course of his career, and it is part of why this latest assignment feels so significant. He is not just returning to a venue; he is returning to the scene of one of his most important nights.
Why the Merab Dvalishvili rematch matters
The other part of the story is the opponent. Yan and Merab Dvalishvili first met in March 2023, when Dvalishvili won their main event in Las Vegas on 50-45 scorecards from all three judges. At that stage, Dvalishvili was still climbing. By the time Yan is set to meet him again, Dvalishvili has captured the 135-pound title and defended it on three successive occasions.
That turns UFC 333 into more than a simple rematch. It is Yan's chance to reclaim the belt against a champion who has already built momentum of his own. Yan acknowledged that some time has passed since the first fight and said he has cooled off from the emotions of that night. He also described the bout as a great fight, saying it felt good to complete the work that had been built in camp with his coach.
For Yan, this is the kind of opportunity that defines a career at the top level. He already knows what it takes to win the undisputed bantamweight title. He also knows what it feels like to lose to Dvalishvili over five rounds. Now the challenge is to make the adjustment, use the Abu Dhabi stage to his advantage, and prove that the third meeting is the one that puts the belt back around his waist.
