Key Highlights
- Merab Dvalishvili criticized Petr Yan for fighting with an injury in their first encounter.
- Dvalishvili demanded Yan to address any pre-fight injuries ahead of the rematch at UFC 323.
- Yan assured he was in top condition and expected to reclaim the bantamweight title.
Fighting Fears: Dvalishvili Slams Yan for One-Arm Battle
In a fierce pre-fight press conference, Merab Dvalishvili, the reigning UFC bantamweight champion, demanded to know if his opponent, Petr Yan, was dealing with any injuries. This heated exchange comes ahead of their highly anticipated rematch at UFC 323.
The First Encounter: Fighting with an Injury
During the Q&A session, Yan addressed Dvalishvili’s quest for 49 takedowns in their first fight, many of which he successfully thwarted but ultimately failed to prevent a unanimous loss. When asked about his adjustments ahead of the rematch, Yan revealed that he was far from at his healthiest during their initial clash back in 2023.
“In my first fight, I fought with him with one arm,” Yan stated bluntly. “He tried 49 takedowns.” This admission triggered a fiery response from Dvalishvili, who is known for getting under the skin of his opponents by targeting their perceived weaknesses and excuses.
Unleashing the Fire: Dvalishvili’s Demands
Dvalishvili has grown tired of hearing about injuries and ailments from past opponents after beating them. His tirade against Yan mirrored a similar outburst in January when Umar Nurmagomedov, a Russian opponent, revealed he suffered a broken hand early in their fight that affected his performance.
“Petr, you are better than this,” Dvalishvili shouted at Yan. “Stop making excuses! Please, no excuses.
I will beat you on Dec. 6, what excuse are you going to make? Tell me now!”
The crowd in Las Vegas was riled up as Dvalishvili repeatedly demanded to know if Yan had any pre-fight injuries that could affect his performance. “Are you going to make an excuse when I beat you again? Tell me now, please,” Dvalishvili continued.
A Promise and a Response
Yan eventually responded, assuring the crowd he was in great shape: “Guys, I feel great. This Saturday you’re going to see me in the best shape of my life.” Yan promised to deliver a victory and reclaim the UFC bantamweight title, with Dvalishvili’s retort being simple yet telling: “Good luck.”
The main event at UFC 323 is set for December 6th, with Merab Dvalishvili defending his title against Petr Yan. The co-main event features the flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defending his title against Joshua Van.
The intense pre-fight banter between these two fighters highlights the competitive nature of UFC and the psychological warfare that often precedes high-stakes matches. As the tension builds, fans will be eagerly awaiting a showdown that promises to be as exciting as it is controversial.
