Petr
Yan welcomes the challenge of Merab
Dvalishvili’s pressure.
Yan (20-5) is scheduled to defend his
Ultimate Fighting Championship bantamweight title against
Dvalishvili (21-5) at
UFC 333. Having already shared the Octagon with his challenger
for 10 rounds, the champion recognizes Dvalishvili’s strengths and
is eager to demonstrate his own improvements.
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Petr Yan says ‚diamonds are made under pressure‘ as he prepares
for Merab Dvalishvili trilogy in Abu Dhabi
Dvalishvili is known for relentless pressure that often frustrates
his opponents. Yan, however, views it as a test of his
abilities.
“I cannot really be annoyed with [Merab’s pressure] because it’s
part of his game plan,” Yan told Paramount+. “Every MMA fighter has
their own game plan. This is his. To keep moving forward, to keep
pressuring. But as we know, diamonds are made under pressure. So,
we will find out who we really are when that pressure keeps coming
at you and see if you are that diamond. Everybody knows how to
swim, but not everybody is ready to go too far away from the
shore.”
Dvalishvili overwhelmed Yan in their first meeting in 2023, setting
a UFC record for takedown attempts en route to a unanimous
decision. The Russian reversed the result in their rematch last
year, neutralizing the Georgian’s wrestling to win the title. Their
rubber match is scheduled for Oct. 24 at Etihad Arena in Abu
Dhabi.