Merab Dvalishvili Is Fighting for More Than a Title Shot Against Petr Yan: ‘I Am Fighting for My Country’

“I am fighting for my country.”

Welcome to The Weekly Takedown, Sports Illustrated’s in-depth look at MMA. Every week, this column offers insight and information on the most noteworthy stories in the fight world.

Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili will headline UFC Fight Night on Saturday.

Stepping out of the Apex, the card takes place at The Theater at Virgin Hotels, and there is a considerable amount at stake in this one. Yan has had a two-fight losing streak, and he desperately needs to win this bout. For Dvalishvili, who has ripped off eight victories in a row, this fight represents exponentially more than a chance to extend his winning streak.

A native son of Tbilisi, Georgia, Dvalishvili sees Saturday as an opportunity to stand up for his country against a foe from Russia.

“I am representing my team and I am representing my country,” says Dvalishvili. “I have so much support from my country. This is big—I am fighting a Russian fighter. If I win against this Russian fighter, it will make my people so happy and proud.”

Dvalishvili shares a history with Yan, primarily through Yan’s battles with Aljamain Sterling, a teammate and close friend of Dvalishvili’s. Despite Yan’s immense skill in the cage—he is a former undisputed UFC bantamweight champion—Dvalishvili does not appreciate the way he conducts himself.

“I had so much respect for my past opponents, but I do not respect Petr,” says Dvalishvili. “He disrespected my team. He disrespected me. He’s a Russian bully.”

Yan (16–4) was not bothered by Dvalishvili’s words, instead focusing on snapping his first losing streak.

“This isn’t personal at all,” says Yan, speaking through a translator. “Our countries shouldn’t be involved. This is a fight. It is a competition.”

As for being called a Russian bully, Yan offered a hint of a smile before sharing his reply.

“When I see him face to face, he’s not saying that to me,” says Yan, who plays the villain with relative ease. “Dogs keep barking. It doesn’t bother me. It doesn’t matter. Wind is blowing, and mountains are still standing.”

Dvalishvili (15–4) will take one giant step closer to a title shot if he defeats Yan. His unrelenting pace overwhelms opponents, and that is precisely what happened when he defeated José Aldo—who retired after their bout—last August.

“Aldo was about to fight for the title, but then I beat him,” says Dvalishvili. “He is one of the all-time greats. So more people know about me now after that fight, so I was happy to win. But I was sad when he told me after the fight he was retiring.”

If Dvalishvili can supplement the Aldo victory with a win against Yan, it will elevate him to the top of the division. With Sterling likely moving to featherweight, there will be an opening for a new champ. But there is every reason to believe that could also be Yan.

Yan lost an incredibly close fight to Sean O’Malley by decision in October, which temporarily removes him from contention, but he remains one of the most elite fighters in the division.

“Right now, I don’t think about it at all—I have a fight in front of me,” says Yan. “Losing my last two is not pleasant, but I’m moving forward. I have a new goal and new things to accomplish.

“I just need to keep winning. That will prove my contender status.”

Much of the outcome Saturday will depend on whether Yan can combat Dvalishvili’s unrelenting pace. Unsurprisingly, Yan noted that will not be a problem.

“He’s not going to put me in danger,” says Yan. “His style, from what I’ve seen, does not threaten me. I believe I hold all the keys to victory.”

Yan had no desire to make this fight political in any way, but that was not the case for Dvalishvili. He plans to represent Georgia every step of the way Saturday.

Although fighters are currently restricted from carrying their flags to the cage, Dvalishvili has found a new way to showcase Georgia, through a tattoo of the country on his chest.

Merab got a tattoo of Georgia because the ufc doesnt allow flags 💀💀 Its funny but crazy 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/reK3Y82t0d

— AWUREDO (@AOUREDOO) February 20, 2023

“We’re not allowed to have flags anymore, and then I wore my Georgia necklace, but then I was told I couldn’t wear that,” says Dvalishvili. “So I got the tattoo, and I love it. Georgia is with me everywhere I go.”

Even more than a battle of bantamweight title contenders, Dvalishvili wants this victory for Georgia.

“Look at what Russia is doing in Ukraine,” says Dvalishvili. “It is not right. People are dying. I am against all war. Why are the Russians killing people? It is not right. Why [do] you want to be the f------ enemy with everybody? Russia is a corrupt country.

“This is Russia versus Georgia. I am fighting for my country.”

Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier

Some feuds never end.

Cormier and Jones will never meet again in the cage. But that doesn’t mean they’ll ever get along.

“I’ve spent the most time with Jon in the Octagon,” Cormier said last week. “Almost 40 minutes over two occasions. I know who he is as a competitor. I appreciate the competitor, even if I don’t appreciate everything else.”

Jones dominated Ciryl Gane at UFC 285, winning the heavyweight title and reigniting the debate of whether he is the greatest of all time. Cormier discussed that very topic earlier this week on his DC & RC Show, stating, “I think especially with the drugs and the steroid failures and those types of things. I think when you have those things, it’s hard to call you the greatest of all time.”

Naturally, Jones responded. In a Twitter post, he poked fun at the idea that Cormier was disappointed over Jones’s victory.

My man couldn’t even pretend to smile, it was pretty funny. Asking what happened, an experience former champion and analyst suddenly not being able to identify a guillotine. 😌 https://t.co/dgqcqdCO34

— BONY (@JonnyBones) March 9, 2023

The world is always changing, so it is comforting when certain parts of life never change. The Cormier-Jones feud is not going away any time soon. Even if they never fight each other again, the two remain eternal rivals.

Justin Barrasso can be reached at JBarrasso@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinBarrasso.