Laura Sanko: Merab Dvalishvili will make the adjustments to win UFC 333 trilogy

Laura Sanko sees massive legacy stakes attached to the UFC 333 co-main event.

Just the second trilogy in bantamweight history will be completed on Saturday when Petr Yan (20-5 MMA, 12-4 UFC) puts gold on the line against rival Merab Dvalishvili (21-3 MMA, 14-3 UFC) at Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Abu Dhabi (Paramount+).

The first meeting between the pair at UFC Fight Night 221 in March 2021 saw Dvalishvili take a unanimous decision where he landed 11 takedowns and connected on 127 significant strikes. The rematch, which came at UFC 323 in December, swung the other way, with Yan claiming a unanimous decision where he landed 139 significant strikes.

Longtime UFC analyst and commentator Sanko sees another title change coming in the rubber match, as long as Dvalishvili fixes the mistakes of the second encounter, which notably was his fourth title fight of 2026.

"It's such a fascinating one to break down because their two fights were so wildly different in how they played out," Sanko told MMA Junkie. "Can Merab get even close to replicating what their first fight looked like? I don't think it will ever look like that again. But their second fight was relatively close. I think it was like, 'Wow, Petr Yan is doing so differently than before you're like, 'It was a masterclass.' It was an incredible performance, and he was nearly perfect, but it was still a close fight.

"I think just by a hair (in the trilogy). I think Merab will be able to make the adjustments to the adjustments and be able to get the better of Yan. He's got to protect his body, though, man."

If Dvalishvili wins, he would tie T.J. Dillashaw for the most title fight victories in UFC bantamweight history at five. Yan, meanwhile, is still looking for his first title defense in two separate reigns as champion.

In addition to having bragging rights over the other man, there are significant legacy points on the line for both Yan and Dvalishvili at UFC 333.

"I think Yan (has more on the line for his legacy) in that sense," Sanko said. "Because I think Merab's legacy is already pretty written in stone. This would just be adding onto it. For Yan, it's just even more impactful for him to be able to defend the belt."

To hear more from Sanko, check out her complete appearance on "The Bohnfire" podcast with MMA Junkie senior reporter Mike Bohn.

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Laura Sanko: Merab Dvalishvili 'will make the adjustments' to win UFC 333 trilogy