LAS VEGAS – Petr Yan justifying his loss to Merab Dvalishvili irked the UFC bantamweight champion.
Yan (19-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) was smothered in a unanimous decision loss to Dvalishvili (21-4 MMA, 14-2 UFC) in their main event in March 2023. The pair will run things back in a title fight which headlines Saturday’s UFC 323 (pay-per-view, ESPN2/FX/Disney+, ESPN+) event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Yan previously mentioned that he was only at 50 percent in his first fight against Dvalishvili, and brought it up again when asked what he’d do differently in their rematch.
“In my first fight, I fought with him with one arm,” Yan said during Thursday’s UFC 323 pre-fight press conference. “He tried 49 takedowns.”
Upon hearing Yan’s comments, Dvalishvili couldn’t wait to jump in.
“Petr, you are better than this,” Dvalishvili responded. “Stop making excuses. Please, no excuses. When I will beat you (Saturday), what excuse are you going to make? Tell me now. Are you going to make excuse when I will beat you again? Tell me now, please.
“Are you going to make any excuse? Are you going to make an excuse on Dec. 6 or not? Tell me now, please. Do you have any injuries now? I have a question for you. Do you have any injuries now? Do you have injuries or no? Yes or no? I guess no.”
Yan needed the question to be translated, and assured Dvalishvili that it’s all systems go for him.
“Guys, I feel great,” Yan said. “This Saturday, you’re going to see me in the best shape of my life.”
