UFC Fight Night tips: Merab Dvalishvili capable of taking Petr Yan the distance
- Liam Hampton
- 11 March 2023
Two fighters from the UFC’s stacked bantamweight division square off for supremacy as Russia’s Petr “No Mercy” Yan takes on Merab “The Machine” Dvalishvili.
Yan entered the UFC looking like a terminator, using his world class striking to make short work of Teruto Ishihara in his debut where he looked worlds apart from his Japanese opponent.
His following performances showcased more of the same, brutal power and hand speed that even legends of the sport Urijah Faber and Jose Aldo could not stand up to.
Everything changed for Yan during his first title defense against Aljamain Sterling.
In a fight he was comfortably winning, Yan threw a blatant illegal knee that not only handed Sterling the title but led to losses in two of his next three bouts including his rematch with Sterling.
Dvalishvili's run in the UFC could not of started much worse. After winning the Ring of Combat bantamweight title he debuted against Frankie Saenz to much fanfare, though "The Machine" lost the fight by split decision.
He followed up with a technical submission loss to Ricky Simon in his very next outing.
Starting at 0-2 is never good but "The Machine" has rebounded to win eight fights in a row with his smothering wrestling pace, a pace so brutal the likes of Marlon Moraes and Jose Aldo couldn't stand up to it.
This fight is a classic style vs style matchup in the modern day, will Yan's boxing defeat Dvalishvili's wrestling? I think so and I predict Yan to win a tough five round contest.
Key Stats
Yan has only ever lost by split decision when going to the judges' scorecards.
Dvalishvili has only finished one opponent in his UFC run.
Suggested Bets
Fight goes the distance - Yes.
