"The Machine" enters UFC 333 well rested.
Merab Dvalishvili (21-2 MMA, 14-3 UFC) challenges bantamweight champion Petr Yan (20-5 MMA, 12-4 UFC) in the Oct. 24 co-main event at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi (Paramount+).
The pair have split their first two appearances, with both picking up definitive wins. Yan put an end to Dvalishvili's title reign at UFC 323
this past December, after the Georgian had notched three successful title defenses in the year."Yeah, I will say one of the important fights in bantamweight history because the first fight was one-sided, the second fight was one-sided, and now we all deserve to find out who's really the best, and it's going to be interesting," Dvalishvili told MMA Junkie. "I'm looking forward to fight Yan because he's
the most dangerous guy. He's the champion, and I always like to fight the best of the best. I have a great challenge in front of me."
Dvalishvili has shared the octagon with Yan for 50 minutes, but isn't necessarily banking on that tape.
"Of course, it helps to fight – I'm familiar," Dvalishvili said. "It helps, but same time not. Even when first time and the second fight, it was two different results because it was two different days, two different mindsets. I don't know. We're all going to find out. But one thing for sure: I am very confident, very comfortable that I'm going to win this fight."
Yan tried to get under Dvalishvili's skin during the pre-fight press conference, which got Dvalishvili to admit he got humbled.
"No, (it's) just competitive," Dvalishvili said. "I always knew he was a good fighter. As a person, he's just rude. He's just himself. I was not a fan of him as a person. Of course, I have respect. He's a father, and he has two children. As a family person, he's good. This is a good fighter.
"Other than that, I'm not his fan as a person. Yeah, he made fun of me at the press conference. Yeah, that's normal from him, and I'm not surprised. It's just competitive right now. I just want to win against the best guy, against Petr Yan, and that's it."
It's not personal for "The Machine," but he plans on having the last laugh.
"I need to win against him and then he will be humbled," Dvalishvili said. "That's what he needs, I believe. That's it. Automatically, he will be humbled."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Merab Dvalishvili plans to turn the tables on Petr Yan: 'He will be humbled'
