This UFC star is on the verge of history in his latest title defense

Merab Dvalishvili is known for his bottomless gas tank. He’s a relentless force - like a human earthquake that never stops rumbling. That’s why three bantamweight title defenses in a single year aren’t enough for him. On December 6, at UFC 323, “The Machine” will chase history: he can become the first UFC champion to successfully defend his title four times in the same calendar year. Standing in his way is former titleholder Petr Yan.

Can Dvalishvili surpass a host of UFC icons?

Until now, no UFC fighter has managed more than three title defenses in a single year. Frank Shamrock set the benchmark in 1998, followed by legends like Tito Ortiz, Matt Hughes, Chuck Liddell, Demetrious Johnson, Kamaru Usman, and Alex Pereira. Dvalishvili joined that elite group earlier this month with a dominant unanimous decision win over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 - his third successful defense of 2025.

But five rounds of high-octane action weren’t enough. After dispatching Sandhagen, Dvalishvili immediately called for one more fight before the year’s end. Wish granted. UFC CEO Dana White confirmed that Dvalishvili will headline UFC 323 in Las Vegas, defending his belt for the fourth time this year. “I’m back Motherfu$kers,” Dvalishvili posted on X, alongside a video of him grinding through another intense training session.

Who is Petr Yan?

Dvalishvili’s opponent, Yan, held the bantamweight crown in 2020 but lost it in his first defense to Aljamain Sterling - Dvalishvili’s teammate and close friend - via disqualification for an illegal knee. During Sterling’s reign, Dvalishvili refused to challenge his friend, choosing loyalty over ambition. That decision kept him in the shadows for a time. But when Sterling lost the belt to Sean O’Malley, the Georgian seized his moment.

O’Malley was being groomed as the UFC’s next superstar - a flashy striker with charisma to match. But Dvalishvili shut down the hype train with a lopsided unanimous decision win, dominating every aspect of the fight and claiming the title.

His first defense came in January against Umar Nurmagomedov, cousin of Khabib and a rising threat in the division. Despite being the underdog, Dvalishvili once again imposed his will, controlling the fight from start to finish. The rematch with O’Malley followed in June, and this time, “The Machine” finished the job quicker - locking in a submission in the second round.

What is Merab’s record against Yan?

Now, in December, he’ll face Yan for the second time. Their first meeting in March 2023 ended in a one-sided decision win for Dvalishvili, who set a UFC record with 49 takedown attempts in a single fight. Yan has since rebuilt his momentum with three straight wins, and he’s hungry for redemption.

But Dvalishvili isn’t just defending a belt - he’s redefining what it means to be a champion. His pace, pressure, and durability are unmatched. He’s not just breaking records; he’s breaking the mold.

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