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Merab Dvalishvili set takedown record in dominant Petr Yan win before UFC 323 rematch was confirmed

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Ross Markey | Last updated Oct 14, 2025 11:59 AM ET

Entering his incoming UFC 323 return, Merab Dvalishvili will do so with the knowledge he can control his next title challenger at will.

Making another quickfire return to the Octagon before the end of the year, bantamweight kingpin Merab Dvalishvili will welcome the challenge of past foe Petr Yan to his throne.

And booking his fourth title defense of the year, the Georgian star will headline UFC 323 — much to his surprise, in fact.

But during their first pairing years ago, Dvalishvili introduced the Russian striking ace to his dominant output in a drowning performance.

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Merab Dvalishvili broke a UFC takedown record against Petr Yan

Inflicting a dominant decision loss on former champion Yan in their pairing over two years ago, Dvalishvili handed the Russian his third straight loss — and his most recent defeat, too.

However, setting a rather spectacular record in the process, Dvalishvili attempted a staggering 49 separate takedowns against the Dudinka striker.

March 11, 2023

UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili

Takes on former champion, Petr Yan, many thought this would be a roadblock or at least a test.

Merab drowned Yan in offence, making a pound-for-pound fighter look impotent.

Won via UD (50–45, 50–45, 50–45) pic.twitter.com/JY2YRhLJ8o
— Ocelot MMA (@Ocelot_MMA) June 2, 2025

Putting him on the canvas on 11 of those occasions, Dvalishvili controlled the five-round headliner from the outset and throughout.

With the victory, Dvalishvili became the first to defeat Yan via unanimous decision — following his prior split-judging losses to both Sean O’Malley and Aljamain Sterling during that same run.

Maintaining in the time since how he was competing at just “50%” during his first fight with Dvalishvili, former titleholder Yan has it all ahead of him for their UFC 323 re-run.

Merab Dvalishvili linked to super fight after UFC 323 return

Initially suggesting a December date for his return to action, Dvalishvili got his wish from promotional matchmakers after his dominant win over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320.

And already planning another outing as a champion as soon as March, after his upcoming rematch with Yan, Dvalishvili is fast separating himself from his former bantamweight champion peers.

But as far as his head coach is concerned, Dvalishvili may line himself up for a massive title fight in a divisional change if he continues his roughshod reign at 135lbs.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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