Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333: Fight Date, Odds and Bets

Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili have already gone five rounds against each other twice. The first fight belonged entirely to the Georgian, while the rematch ended with a victory for the Russian. Their head-to-head record is now tied at 1:1. This week, the two will finally settle the rivalry. Read our full preview of the trilogy below.

Where and when will Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili 3 take place?

The third fight between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili will take place on October 24, 2026 at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The venue is Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The bout is part of the main card and is scheduled for five five-minute rounds because the UFC bantamweight title, up to 61.2 kg, is on the line.

The UFC 333 main card begins at 10:00 PM local time in Abu Dhabi. The exact walkout time for Yan and Dvalishvili will depend on the duration of the earlier fights.

Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili: Head-to-head history

The fighters first met on March 11, 2023 at UFC Fight Night. Merab Dvalishvili controlled the contest with constant pressure, takedown attempts and a relentless pace. The Georgian prevented Yan from establishing his preferred distance and won by unanimous decision. All three judges scored the fight 50:45.

The rematch took place on December 6, 2025 at UFC 323 in Las Vegas. By then, Dvalishvili held the championship belt and entered the bout after a series of successful title defenses. Yan completely changed the pattern of the fight. The Russian was more confident on the feet, attacked the body regularly and defended takedowns much more effectively.

Yan ultimately won by unanimous decision with scores of 49:46, 49:46 and 48:47, reclaiming the UFC bantamweight title. For Merab, it was the first defeat after a long winning streak.

Both previous fights went the full five rounds. Each fighter produced a convincing win by leaning on his strongest qualities, which makes the third meeting especially compelling. This bout should finally decide who is the better fighter in the matchup.

Who is the favorite in Yan vs Dvalishvili 3?

Bookmakers make Petr Yan the favorite. The reigning champion is priced at around 1.55 to win, while Merab Dvalishvili is available at roughly 2.52.

The strongest argument for Yan is the result of the December rematch. He showed that he can neutralize Dvalishvili's wrestling, defend takedowns effectively and score consistently on the feet. His body work was particularly effective and gradually reduced the Georgian's activity. Yan also maintained a high pace through the final round.

Merab should not be underestimated, though. His biggest advantage is exceptional conditioning and the ability to maintain constant pressure for 25 minutes. In the first fight, that was exactly what allowed him to take the initiative away from Yan. The key question is therefore not just physical readiness, but tactical choice. If Yan can once again control distance and defend shots, his chances rise considerably. If Dvalishvili restores constant pressure and forces the champion into repeated clinch exchanges against the fence, the fight could look very different.

Odds and bets for Yan vs Dvalishvili 3