Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili went the distance again at UFC 333 and if it were up to their peers, they might end up fighting forever.
Saturday’s co-main event in Abu Dhabi saw Yan defeat Dvalishvili a second straight time to move to 2-1 in their series with the two fighters now having spend 75 minutes inside the octagon together. Yan shook off a slow start and surged in the final three rounds, consistently outworking Dvalishvili on the feet and neutralizing his rival’s relentless wrestling en route to a unanimous decision win.
Regardless of the result, fans, fighters, and media were were unanimous in their praise for the duo, who once again showed why they’re considered the two very best bantamweights of this generation. Fellow 135er Adrian Yanez even suggested the two extend the series.
“Such a great trilogy,” Yanez wrote on Twitter. “Wouldn’t mind seeing the best of 7.”
See more fighter reactions from social media below.
Such a great trilogy 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 wouldnt mind seeing the best of 7 lol #ufc
— Adrian Yañez (@yanezmma) October 24, 2026
Top class performance from both the champions Yan and Merab 👏#ufc333
— Dominick Cruz (@DominickCruz) October 24, 2026
What a fight. Incredible performance from both guys. Merab with that patented pressure and Yan was such a calculated sniper. That was a lot of fun.#UFC333
— Michael Chiesa (@MikeMav22) October 24, 2026
Petr Yan & Merab are two of the greatest fighters of all time
— Caolan Loughran (@DonCaolan135) October 24, 2026
Bravo men 👏#UFC333
alright then pic.twitter.com/Z2gaZqFvPL
— Payton Talbott (@PaytonTalbott) October 24, 2026
Seeing Petr Yan fight like that just makes me even hungrier ❤️🔥
— Kevin Vallejos (@ElChinoVallejos) October 24, 2026
Sterling, be ready to wrestle on November 21st, because I’m coming for my title shot 👊 #UFC333
What’s your thoughts on decision ?
— Muhammad Mokaev (@muhammadmokaev) October 24, 2026
What yall think about that decision ? Yan v Merab ? #UFC
— Derek Brunson (@DerekBrunson) October 24, 2026
Im not a judge. But I had Merab winning.
— Jessica Penne (@JessicaPenne) October 24, 2026
Regardless it was an incredible fight! #ufc333
Sean watching right now hoping the judges give it to Yan pic.twitter.com/asDL0SFLVJ
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 24, 2026
At some point I gotta see Van vs Yan
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 24, 2026
Perfect plan by @PetrYanUFC
— Shamil Gaziev (@GazievMMA) October 24, 2026
Gave 2 rounds to take 3
🧠
Can wet just watch Yan and Merab fight once a month??
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) October 24, 2026
2-2? Amazing fight, I’d watch this match up every month #UFC333
— Casey Oneill (@kingcaseymma) October 24, 2026
Yan is such a patient warrior.. My nerves can’t handle it! 😩😂 What a trilogy!!!! #UFC333
— PEARL GONZALEZ (@PearlGonzalez) October 24, 2026
I don’t know if y’all peeped but petr hurt his hand or wrist bad and still was swinging that and Merab absolutely warrior what a fight
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) October 24, 2026
What a great fight! 🔥
— Diego Lopes 🇧🇷🇲🇽 (@Diegolopesmma) October 24, 2026