Vitaly Slipenko, the heavyweight champion in the ACA ranks, weighs in on Petr Yan’s setback against Merab Dvalishvili, sharing his assessment with MMA Management Ratings. According to Slipenko, Dvalishvili delivered the standout performance of his career, maintaining a relentless tempo across all five rounds and executing a consistent game plan. He noted that Dvalishvili remained efficient and did not show signs of fatigue as the clock wore on.
In the main event of UFC Fight Night 221, Merab Dvalishvili defeated Petr Yan by unanimous decision, with all three judges scoring the bout 50-45 in favor of the Georgian contender. The result improved Dvalishvili’s standing while extending Yan’s professional tally to 16 victories and five losses. The loss marked Yan’s third defeat in his most recent five outings, underscoring a challenging stretch for the former title challenger.
Earlier in October 2022, Yan tasted defeat again in Abu Dhabi at UFC 280, losing to American bantamweight Sean O’Malley via split decision. That decision added another setback to Yan’s career and highlighted the competitive depth at 135 pounds in the UFC roster during that period.
Meanwhile, former Russian MMA fighter Sergei Kharitonov offered guidance regarding Petr Yan’s approach to the sport and life, suggesting that Yan should consider military service as a catalyst for a renewed mindset. The idea echoed broader discussions about discipline, training focus, and personal perspective among professional fighters facing tough stretches in their careers.