Petr Yan Retains UFC Bantamweight Title Over Dvalishvili

Petr Yan retained the UFC bantamweight title by unanimous decision over Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333, with all three judges scoring the fight 48-47 for Yan. The five-round bout completed the rivals’ trilogy in Abu Dhabi. Dvalishvili pressed for takedowns early, while Yan rallied in the later rounds and finished strongly. The judges’ scorecards gave Yan the victory after a closely contested fight. The result gives Yan a second consecutive win over Dvalishvili, following his victory in their previous meeting. Dvalishvili had beaten Yan in their first fight. In the latest bout, Dvalishvili attempted 58 takedowns and completed five, while Yan was unsuccessful on his single attempt, according to statistics reported after the fight. Yan landed 94 of 206 attempted strikes; Dvalishvili landed 139 of 410. After the fight, Yan said the two men shook hands, congratulated one another and briefly discussed political issues. He declined to describe what was said, saying he preferred to keep the conversation private unless audio became public. Yan said microphones near the Octagon may have captured the exchange and that it could surface eventually. No account from Dvalishvili or recording of...