He may own the most takedowns in UFC history, but Merab Dvalishvili has declared himself willing to throw hands in this Sunday’s title blockbuster against Petr Yan, declaring: “Nobody can do s***”.
On the eve of UFC 323 in Las Vegas, Dvalishvili has opened up to Kayo Sports’ Denan Kemp on the Bloke in a Bar podcast about his intense rivalry with Yan, willingness to stand, and ongoing rise and rise as the Octagon’s most unstoppable force.
The hyped UFC bantamweight king, who is gunning for his fourth straight title defence of the year, has also revealed new details about his unlikely friendship with Mark Zuckerberg — which includes the tech billionaire urging him to finish a “gargling” Henry Cejudo.
UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan | SUN 7 DEC 2PM AEDT | Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will look to make history and become the first fighter to defend a championship for a fourth time in a year when he takes on former champ Petr Yan in Las Vegas. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Dana announces stacked UFC 324 card | 00:53
Elsewhere, Dvalishvili also stressed he will have no problem striking with Yan, despite attempting a record 49 takedowns in their first encounter back in 2023, when earning an upset decision win.
While that first fight occurred more than a year before the now Georgian superstar would become champion, Dvalishvili’s win was still so comprehensive that he took the Russian down 11 times and landed almost double the strikes – 147-75.
Which is why despite now owning the most takedowns in UFC history, the champ insists he has no problem striking in what will be the final UFC pay-per-view event of 2025.
Asked about being willing to stand with Yan, the champ replied: “Absolutely. If he stops my takedowns I have no [problem] to strike with him.
“He’s a good striker but I will show again. I go eight rounds against Sean O’Malley. I go five rounds against Cory Sandhagan. Five rounds against Umar. And nobody can do s***.”
And as for any lingering animosity between the pair following several heated exchanges the first time around?
“The last fight was good,” the champ continued. “But first thing is, he wasn’t respectful of me and take me lightly.
“Second thing, I was so mad at him because of his disrespect, his cockiness. I was over it.
“He’s from Russia, I’m from Georgia. I was supposed to win this fight.
“I was so mad.
“After this fight [though], lots of things changed.
“I beat him and every time he was fighting I was cheering for him. Wanting him to win. Now I’m not mad at him anymore.
“Of course, I still have big reasons to beat him. I am a champion and have to defend my belt.
“And he’s coming from a loss against me.
“I was the last opponent he lost against so I’m sure he will come into this stronger, smarter.
“I have to keep up the same energy, same mindset. I have to be mad. I have to be smart.”
‘You’re meant to be a champion!’ | 00:43
Elsewhere, the champ also shed more light on last year’s now infamous cageside interactions with Zuckerberg, who was present during his UFC 298 decision win over Henry Cejudo.
Dvalishvili recounted the Facebook co-founder not only being sat front row for his win over Cejudo, but offering up cornering advice.
“After the first round I knew I was going to win,” Merab recounted of the showdown.
“First round I was just trying to figure it out.
“But once I figured it out I knew I was going to win. I kind’ve break him.
“Then in the second round I was trying to choke him, grab his neck and Mark Zuckerberg calls [out to] me saying ‘there is 30 seconds left, go for it’.
“I look to him and said ‘I don’t think I can make him tap in 30 seconds, not enough time’.
“But I make him snore. He was gargling, snoring, because I was choking and he has very small air.
“And then I said ‘I’m going to have fun in third round I guess’. I had this conversation with Mark Zuckerberg …”
UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan | SUN 7 DEC 2PM AEDT | Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will look to make history and become the first fighter to defend a championship for a fourth time in a year when he takes on former champ Petr Yan in Las Vegas. | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
Elsewhere, Dvalishvili also explained the ongoing, and at times highly volatile, relationship between himself and Yan, whose neighbouring countries also share something of a complex history.
“Russia is our neighbour,” he started. “We are living next to each other and we Georgians used to go to Russia a lot.
“And Russians always loved to come to our country too because we have good cuisine. They love our food. Even our wine is big in Russia.
“But with the politics, Russia has occupied 20 per cent of Georgia’s territory.
“So there is a very big beef between Russia and Georgia. Up until they give us back this 20 per cent of territory, this beef will always be between us.
“I will always make sure that every time I have a match against Russia, I have to win.
“There are so many good people in Russia and I don’t have a problem with good people. But I have a problem with bad politicians and bad people. That’s it.”
You can catch the full interview on the latest Bloke In A Bar podcast, released on Wednesday.