The UFC 333 co-main event features a bantamweight title-fight trilogy between champion Petr Yan and former titleholder Merab Dvalishvili.
The two first fought in March 2023. Dvalishvili picked up a unanimous decision win that night in Las Vegas shutting Yan out on the scorecards. Yan avenged the loss at UFC 323 defeating Dvalishvili by unanimous decision setting up a third fight.
The first two fights couldn’t have been more different. Dvalishvili dominated the first one while Yan largely had his way in the rematch. Former two-division UFC champion Georges St-Pierre recently gave his prediction for the monumental bantamweight matchup.
“The person that will be able to adapt the best that will win the fight. They know each other very well. It’s a clash of style, you know? Merab has the best takedown in the game. He has the record. However, last time Petr Yan prepared himself very well. You see that he countered a lot of Merab’s attacks and was able to neglect his pressure,” St-Pierre told Covers.
“Petr Yan is very well-rounded. He’ good everywhere. Merab, we know what’s his specialty. He’s very good at making his opponent guess whether if he strikes or take down and he’s got an amazing timing. So, he needs to use his bread and butter,” said St-Pierre. “Yan is amazing. He’s good everywhere. Everywhere. And he has a lot of experience. They both have a lot of experience, actually. It’s a clash of style.”
“Rush” believes Yan has the momentum with winning their last fight, but believes the belt will leave the octagon with Dvalishvili.
“I think the momentum favors Yan because, you know, he got the W last time, but I believe Merab can shock everyone and he can find a way to win,” St-Pierre said. “It’s a tough fight but if I had to choose, I think Merab will find a way to win.”