Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili saved the best fight of their rivalry for last.
In a thrilling five-round battle at UFC 333 on Saturday in Abu Dhabi, Yan successfully defended his bantamweight championship with a unanimous decision over Dvalishvili, earning identical 48-47 scores from all three judges. The Russian survived a relentless start from his longtime rival before turning the tide in the championship rounds, using sharp counterstriking, punishing body shots and stout takedown defense to secure the victory.
The result served as a fitting conclusion to a trilogy that began in March 2023, when Dvalishvili dominated Yan over five rounds. Nearly three years later, Yan returned the favor at UFC 323, ending Dvalishvili's remarkable 14-fight win streak and reclaiming the bantamweight crown. Saturday's rubber match was considerably closer, with both men having their moments before Yan pulled away late to take a definitive 2-1 lead in what ultimately became an all-time series.
The MMA world certainly had plenty to say about it. Fighters across the sport flooded social media with praise for the back-and-forth battle, with many calling Yan vs. Dvalishvili one of the greatest trilogies in UFC history. Not everyone agreed with the outcome, however, as some questioned whether Yan had done enough to earn the judges' nod in a razor-close contest.
Check out how the pros reacted to Yan's victory over Dvalishvili at UFC 333 below.
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
Im not a judge. But I had Merab winning.
— Jessica Penne (@JessicaPenne) October 24, 2026
Regardless it was an incredible fight! #ufc333
He outlasted merabs cardio thats crazy
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 24, 2026
What a fight what a trilogy
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 24, 2026
At some point I gotta see Van vs Yan
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 24, 2026
Amazing fight, truly the highest level of the sport. Win / win 🏆 #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
What a trilogy. It down to the last round to the last minute. Congrats Petr. Merab will always be our champ #UFC333
— Nazim Sadykhov (@naz_mma) October 24, 2026
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
Can wet just watch Yan and Merab fight once a month??
— Matt Brown (@IamTheImmortal) October 24, 2026
Yan takes it in the last round
— Aiemann Zahabi (@Aiemannzahabi) October 24, 2026
Yan is him what a comeback and Merab is tough them body shots hurt me frfr
— Terrance McKinney (@twrecks155) October 24, 2026
What a fight! Best fight of the year IMO #UFC333
— Julian marquez (@JMarquezMMA) October 24, 2026
Insane fight so far. Massive respect to Yan and Merab. Champion’s starting to take over, looks like the belt stays with Yan. #UFC333
— JOSH EMMETT (@JoshEmmettUFC) October 24, 2026
Sean watching right now hoping the judges give it to Yan pic.twitter.com/asDL0SFLVJ
— Belal Muhammad (@bullyb170) October 24, 2026