Merab Dvalishvili may have found his next title challenger.
Dvalishvili remained the UFC Bantamweight Champion of the world on Saturday, where he defended his title for a third time this year against top contender Cory Sandhagen.
Sandhagen was as game as they come, surviving an early onslaught from the champ to find some success later in the fight.
Ultimately, it was Dvalishvili’s night, as he got his hand raised by unanimous decision in the UFC 320 co-main event.
After a hard-fought victory, Dvalishvili is already wanting to get back in the Octagon and he’s got a name in mind.
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Merab Dvalishvili eyes Petr Yan before the end of the year
Dvalishvili says he’d like to rematch former champion Petr Yan after UFC 320.
Dvalishvili shot 49 takedowns on Yan during their past five-round fight, defeating him via unanimous decision in 2023.
Yan hasn’t lost since then, putting together a three-fight win streak over Song Yadong, Deiveson Figueiredo, and Marcus McGhee.
“I think Petr Yan looked good and he’s ready,” Yan told Joe Rogan in his post-fight interview.
“Like I keep saying, I wanna be busy.
“And Hunter Campbell please and Dana White, if you have a spot [in] December, I would love to make a quick turnaround.
“If not then I’m gonna keep getting better and then somebody is in big trouble,” Dvalishvili said.
Petr Yan reacts to Merab Dvalishvili defeating Cory Sandhagen
Yan released a statement following Dvalishvili’s third title defense.
“Good effort from Cory, but Merab was better,” Yan wrote on X.
“Can’t wait to test him next,” the former champion added.
Yan and Dvalishvili have a common opponent in Sandhagen. Yan defeated Sandhagen via unanimous decision to win the interim bantamweight title in 2021.