Merab Dvalishvili is expected to challenge Petr Yan for the UFC bantamweight championship next, according to his coach John Wood in an interview with Mike Owens. The matchup would complete a trilogy between two of the division’s leading names after Dvalishvili won their first meeting in 2023 before Yan took the belt in their UFC 323 rematch last December.

Wood said the UFC’s plan is clear, while acknowledging that title-fight schedules can move quickly. “Yes. At this time, unless something changes on Petr’s end, we’re fighting for the title next. There’s no doubt,” Wood said.

“The UFC has let that be known. It’s all but for sure, but as much as anything is for sure in this sport. Things can change. You have to go with what you’re being told, what the manager’s telling you, what the UFC wants. But from my knowledge and what I know, 99%, it’s going to be Petr Yan next.

John Wood Says Merab Dvalishvili Will Fight Petr Yan for UFC Gold Next

Dvalishvili and Yan first met in the UFC Fight Night 221 main event in March 2023, when Dvalishvili earned a 50-45 unanimous-decision win on all three scorecards. He out-landed Yan 147-75 in total strikes and secured 11 takedowns across five rounds, a performance that helped accelerate his route to a UFC title shot.

The Georgian then extended his run through victories over Henry Cejudo, Sean O’Malley, Umar Nurmagomedov, O’Malley again and Cory Sandhagen. His 14-fight winning streak ended when Yan defeated him by unanimous decision in the UFC 323 main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on December 6, 2025. Yan won 49-46 on two scorecards and 48-47 on the third to reclaim the 135-pound title.

That result changed the series score to 1-1, with a third contest now positioned to settle the rivalry and decide the championship.

Wood did not offer excuses for Dvalishvili’s loss but said his fighter entered the Yan rematch below full health. He believes a better camp and a healthy Dvalishvili can produce a different showing.

“That camp and that year were rough going into that last fight. I can tell you that. No excuses, and Merab will never make excuses, but he definitely wasn’t near 100% going into that,” Wood said. “Just having a healthy Merab for this next fight is going to change things a lot. Obviously, Petr had one of his best nights ever, and we didn’t.”

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 06: (L-R) Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia wrestles Petr Yan of Russia in the UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 323 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 06, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Zuffa LLC)

Yan’s UFC 323 win halted Dvalishvili’s bid to become the first UFC champion to make four successful title defenses in one calendar year. Before that meeting, Dvalishvili had defended against Nurmagomedov, O’Malley and Sandhagen during 2025.

Wood described Yan as a demanding opponent and said the team will revisit both previous fights in search of adjustments. The coach pointed to the way a fight can change once a competitor is hurt, forcing reactions rather than a planned approach.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 06: Petr Yan (R) punches Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia in a bantamweight title bout during UFC 323 at T-Mobile Arena on December 06, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ian Maule/Getty Images)

“Game plans are game plans until somebody cracks you super hard. Sometimes that game plan goes out the window, and then you’re fighting on instinct. I think that kind of happened in that fight, too,” Wood said. “We’re going to go out there and have another great fight. Obviously, I truly believe that Merab’s getting that title back.”

Yan enters the likely trilogy bout as the champion, while Dvalishvili is seeking to reclaim a belt he held from September 2024 through UFC 323. Their history offers two sharply different five-round fights, which gives both camps direct evidence to study before the UFC finalizes the date and location.

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – DECEMBER 06: (L-R) Petr Yan of Russia kicks Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia in the UFC bantamweight championship fight during the UFC 323 event at T-Mobile Arena on December 06, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)