Merab Dvalishvili looks shredded after revealing brutal 12kg weight cut ahead of Petr Yan trilogy fight…

Merab Dvalishvili is looking extremely lean just days before his highly anticipated rematch with Petr Yan. The former UFC bantamweight champion has already lost 7 kilograms (15 pounds) and says he still has another 5 kilograms (11 pounds) to cut before stepping on the scales.

The Georgian fighter admitted that the final part of the weight cut will be difficult. His comments have highlighted just how demanding the final days can be for a fighter competing at 135 pounds.

Dvalishvili and Yan will meet again this Saturday at UFC 333, with the bantamweight title at stake. Merab Dvalishvili faces tough final 5kg before Petr Yan fight Merab Dvalishvili has revealed that he has already dropped a significant amount of weight ahead of his showdown with Petr Yan.

However, the former champion still needs to lose another 5 kilograms before reaching the bantamweight limit.“I cut 7 kgs [15 lbs] already and 5 kgs [11 lbs] left. This 5 kg will be tough, as you see I’m already skinny”, he said.

The statement came alongside footage showing Dvalishvili looking noticeably shredded during fight week. His lean appearance has attracted plenty of attention from MMA fans.

In total, Dvalishvili is targeting a 12-kilogram (26.4-pound) reduction. Losing that much weight is a major physical challenge for any fighter.

The final stage can become especially difficult when an athlete is already carrying very little body fat. Dvalishvili is preparing for one of the biggest fights of his career.

He will face Yan for the third time in a rivalry that has already produced two closely watched championship-level contests. Their first meeting took place in March 2023.

Dvalishvili defeated Yan by unanimous decision after producing one of the most relentless performances of his career. He constantly pressured the Russian and attempted 49 takedowns, completing 11 of them.

Yan later got his revenge in their second meeting at UFC 323 in December 2025. He defeated Dvalishvili by unanimous decision and reclaimed the bantamweight championship.

Yan’s performance was built around strong takedown defense and accurate striking. He stopped 27 of Dvalishvili’s 29 takedown attempts while finding success with his own offense.

The result left the rivalry tied at 1-1. Their upcoming fight will therefore decide who gets the upper hand in the trilogy.

Yan enters the contest as the reigning UFC bantamweight champion. He will be looking to defend his title and defeat Dvalishvili for a second consecutive time.

Dvalishvili, meanwhile, will be determined to reclaim the championship. His trademark style depends heavily on pressure, movement and repeated wrestling attacks.

That makes his weight cut particularly important. His ability to maintain energy and cardio could play a major role in the five-round contest.

UFC 333 will take place on Saturday, October 24, at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. The Yan-Dvalishvili trilogy is scheduled as the co-main event.

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Key quotes

• “I cut 7 kgs [15 lbs] already and 5 kgs [11 lbs] left. This 5 kg will be tough, as you see I’m already skinny”