It appears Merab Dvalishvili‘s timeline for return could align him with UFC bantamweight champion Petr Yan.
After three title defenses, Dvalishvili (21-5 MMA, 14-3 UFC) was dethroned by Yan at UFC 323, in what was his fourth fight of the year. The strenuous schedule took a toll on “The Machine,” who wants to complete his trilogy with Yan after the pair split their first two appearances.
“When I’m happy and I’m having fun, I usually do good,” Dvalishvili told MMA Junkie Radio. “I think that’s what I missed also in my last fight against Petr. I was a little bit too much focused. Next time I will be more myself.”
Dvalishvili and Yan (20-5 MMA, 12-4 UFC) have been sidelined due to injury. Yan underwent back surgery for what he described as a minor procedure, and Dvalishvili broke his nose. Both fighters are targeting a return in summer.
“This year, I want to have two fights: probably trilogy in summer against Petr Yan and one more this year,” Dvalishvili said. “Who knows? I want to be busy, and I want to continue to do what I love to do. Either be champion or not be champion, I just want to enjoy having the most fights possible because that’s what makes me happy, and win or lose, I’m going to do my best and just move forward.”
Despite breaking his nose, Dvalishvili will remain active but through grappling. He meets Henry Cejudo in the RAF08 headliner on April 18 at Liacouras Center in Philadelphia (FOX Nation). Dvalishvili holds a win over Cejudo in the octagon, defeating him by unanimous decision at UFC 298.
