Merab Dvalishvili jokes he’s a decision machine before Yan 3
The former champion joked about his reputation for winning on the scorecards: “There are three ways to win: knockout, submission, or decision. I’m a decision machine.”
Merab Dvalishvili, the former champion and No. 1 ranked UFC bantamweight, poked fun at his reputation for winning on the scorecards. Asked by a fan how he plans to beat Petr Yan, the Georgian called himself a “decision machine.” The two meet for the bantamweight title this Saturday, Oct. 24, at UFC 333 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.
The answer came in a video posted on Instagram and shared on X by the MMA Pros Pick account on Monday. “There are three ways to win: knockout, submission, or decision,” Dvalishvili said with a laugh. “I’m a decision machine.”
The joke fits his nickname. Dvalishvili is known as “The Machine” for the pace he sets from the first round to the last, with nonstop pressure and wave after wave of takedown attempts.
Merab Dvalishvili’s decision numbers
Of his 21 pro wins, 16 came by decision, or 76%. He also has three knockouts and two submissions, according to UFC and Sherdog records.
In the UFC, only two opponents failed to hear the final bell against him. He stopped Marlon Moraes by TKO at UFC 266 in 2021 and submitted Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 in June 2025. According to official UFC stats, his fights last an average of 17 minutes and 36 seconds.
The topic has become a theme of fight week. Movsar Evloev, who challenges Alexander Volkanovski for the featherweight title in the main event, has also defended his own decision-heavy style, while Volkanovski has vowed to finish the unbeaten Evloev in Abu Dhabi.
The O’Malley submission and Dvalishvili’s grappling
The most memorable exception on his record looks like pure jiu-jitsu. In his rematch with O’Malley, Dvalishvili locked up a north-south choke and got the tap at 4:42 of the third round in his second title defense.
A wrestler at heart, Dvalishvili relies on takedowns to bring opponents to the mat and control the pace. Back in 2024, while still champion, he went as far as calling jiu-jitsu the most dangerous martial art.
For grapplers, the logic is familiar: constant top pressure wears an opponent down every time he tries to get back up, and that opens the door to a submission. Against Yan, the question is whether that pressure turns into points again or something more.
The Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili trilogy
The rivalry is tied 1-1. In March 2023, Dvalishvili beat Yan by unanimous decision in Las Vegas, sweeping the cards 50-45. In December 2025 at UFC 323, Yan got his revenge, also by unanimous decision, and won back the bantamweight title.
That loss ended a busy year for the Georgian. Before falling to Yan, Dvalishvili had defended the belt three times in 2025, against Umar Nurmagomedov, O’Malley and Cory Sandhagen.
Yan heads to Abu Dhabi as champion with a 20-5 record and seven wins by knockout. Dvalishvili, 35, is 21-5.
What do you think: can the “decision machine” outpoint Petr Yan again, or will the Russian keep his belt in Abu Dhabi? Tell us in the comments.
Read more:
- Volkanovski vows to finish unbeaten Evloev at UFC 333
- Charles Oliveira ready to give up BMF belt before UFC 335
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