“The Machine” wants new challenges.
UFC Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili has defended his title three times already in 2025, and this weekend (Sat., Dec. 6, 2025) at UFC 323 inside T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, “The Machine” attempts to complete a historic fourth title defense in a single calendar year when he rematches former champion Petr Yan.
Dvalishvili has already faced two fresh contenders this year — Cory Sandhagen and Umar Nurmagomedov — but has also been forced into two rematches. And
if he gets past Yan this weekend, another repeat matchup may be on deck. Should Nurmagomedov defeat Deiveson Figueiredo at UFC 324 in January, the UFC would almost certainly book the rematch.
While Dvalishvili is willing to fight Nurmagomedov again, he made it clear during UFC 323 media day that he wants new blood next year — and he already has three names in mind.
“My next challenge can be Aiemann Zahabi — he’s coming from a long win streak,” Dvalishvili told TSN. “There is also Song Yadong, who is fighting Sean O’Malley, and if he wins, I could face him. In our division, there are a lot of fighters, even the guy [Payton Talbott] who faces Henry Cejudo — if he wins, maybe him too. I would like to face a fresh opponent, of course.”
Zahabi and Yadong both offer intriguing stylistic tests, but they also represent two valuable markets the UFC is eager to strengthen. China recently lost a defending champion after Weili Zhang vacated her title, and Canada has been in the dumps since Georges St-Pierre retired. Zahabi especially resonates with Dvalishvili, who had to put together a massive win streak before finally receiving his own title shot — game recognize game.
Still, if history tells us anything, it’s that the UFC loves running back fights (like this)— and with Nurmagomedov looming, Dvalishvili may not escape another rematch so easily.
Of course, all of this hinges on whether “The Machine” gets past Yan this weekend.
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