Petr Yan took the championship belt from Merab at UFC 323 after a capital fight

Petr Yan took the cockfighting division championship belt from Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323 after a capital fight.

Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan faced each other in the fight of the evening at UFC 323 in Las Vegas. At stake in the rematch bout between the two experienced fighters was the UFC championship belt in the cockerel division, held by the Georgian.

Due to his incredible fitness, fierceness and overall physical prowess, Merab Dvalishvili was the favorite for Saturday’s event. However, Petr Yan is known for his good standup and solid defense against knockdowns, and before the bout he assured that he had made progress and wanted to reach for the belt.

Merab Dvalishvili started with quick straights. Petr Yan calmly and more static by which two strong punches of the Georgian reached the head of the Russian. Very good boxing action by Dvalishvili. Merab continues the assault. Yan responds with a double left. The Russian hits with an excellent right after which the Georgian wobbled on his feet. It became dangerous, so Dvalishvili moved for his rival’s legs. However, Petr defends himself brilliantly and attacks his rival’s forearms with elbows. Breaking the clinch, exchanging blows, however, after a few seconds Merab again moves for the rival’s legs.

Merab Dvalishvili constantly strives to get a takedown, however Yan cleverly does not allow himself to be toppled, and whenever there is a chance to break the clinch and deliver punches it is the Russian who scores nicely for the champion. Merab hits with short punches, but they do not impress Petra. Unexpectedly, it is Yan who moves his rival to the mat. After returning to the stand-up, Petr let himself be caught in a guillotine under the net. A strong exchange in the middle. Great defense of the Russian, who reverses the situation under the net and does not allow himself to be overthrown. A fierce cockfight, after which the fans cheer loudly.

Piotr Yan lifts Merab up in amazing style and hurls him against the mat. After a strong exchange in the stand-up, Dvalishvili finally successfully lifts his rival up and responds with the same, beautifully throwing Yan to the boards. The Russian quickly escapes to the net where he again hits Dvalishvili’s forearms with short elbows. Petr hits with a good kick to the torso and adds a long straight. Another successful series of punches by the Russian forces the Georgian to go into wrestling. An exchange of brutal knees to the torso. Petr Yan hits with a great kick to the body, which Dvalishvili felt hard.

Yan sets up Dvalishvili with a low kick. He adds straight kicks to it. The Russian’s accurate actions make the Georgian try to pin the choke. None of this Petr pulls out. Good boxing combination of Petr Yan. Merab Dvalishvili again failed to bring down his opponent. Another brutal exchange in the middle leads to Yan moving furiously on the Georgian. Another successful standup action by Petr Yan, who hits Merab with a strong punch to the torso.

Two stopping kicks by Yan on Merab’s knee. A brief exchange of straights. Dvalishvili hits with an elbow however Yan immediately responds with a series of punches. Petr hits with a high kick. In the middle of the fifth round, Dvalishvili moves to wrestle. Yan, however, does not allow himself to be brought down. Petr continues to smash his opponent’s face. The champion is already badly cut after the punches of the contender. Petr Yan dominates Dvalishvili, the end of the fight. Petr Yan defeated Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision of the judges.