Merab Dvalishvili Reacts to Petr Yan Loss at UFC 333

yahoo sports mma |  

Petr Yan successfully defended his UFC bantamweight title against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333, but the judges’ decision left some fighters questioning the outcome.

Yan earned a unanimous decision victory in Saturday’s co-main event in Abu Dhabi, with all three judges scoring the five-round contest 48-47. While Yan officially claimed the trilogy, several fighters took to social media to share their thoughts on the closely contested matchup.

Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP via Getty Images

However, Dvalishvili had a different reaction, choosing to acknowledge his rival’s performance rather than dispute the result.

UFC Fighters React to Petr Yan’s Controversial Decision

UFC veteran Jessica Penne was among those who believed Dvalishvili had done enough to secure the victory.

“I’m not a judge. But I had Merab winning. Regardless it was an incredible fight!” Penne wrote on X.

Former UFC flyweight contender Muhammad Mokaev also raised questions about the scoring, asking his followers, “What’s your thoughts on decision?”

Derek Brunson similarly invited discussion about the result.

“What yall think about that decision? Yan v Merab?” Brunson wrote.

While Penne explicitly favored Dvalishvili, Mokaev and Brunson stopped short of declaring that the judges got it wrong.

Other fighters supported Yan’s performance. Bantamweight contender Aiemann Zahabi believed Yan secured the victory in the fifth round, while heavyweight Shamil Gaziev praised his approach.

“Perfect plan by @PetrYanUFC. Gave 2 rounds to take 3,” Gaziev wrote.

Yan overcame a slow start and found success in the later rounds, using his striking and defensive wrestling to slow Dvalishvili’s relentless pressure.

The victory also gave Yan a 2-1 advantage in their head-to-head series.

Merab Dvalishvili Responds to Petr Yan Loss

Despite the disagreement among fighters watching the contest, Dvalishvili wasn’t looking for excuses.

“He beat me today; he’s the better man,” Dvalishvili said following the defeat.

His comments stood in contrast to the debate surrounding the scorecards, with the former champion accepting the outcome and giving Yan credit for his performance.

The two bantamweights have now shared 75 minutes inside the Octagon across three fights, developing one of the division’s most competitive rivalries.

Fellow UFC bantamweight Adrian Yanez even suggested the rivalry should continue.

“Such a great trilogy. Wouldn’t mind seeing the best of 7,” Yanez wrote on X.

Although some fighters believed Dvalishvili deserved the decision, his own assessment was far less disputed: Yan was the better fighter on Saturday night.

More MMA News

This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 24, 2026, where it first appeared in the MMA section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.