Petr Yan Open to O'Malley Rematch Once Dvalishvili Trilogy Ends

October 21, 2026 · Fighter Talk

Petr Yan said he likes the idea of a rematch with Sean O'Malley after his next fight. Speaking through an interpreter ahead of his co-main event against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333, Yan said a rematch with Sean O'Malley would be a logical title defense in 2027.

Yan lost a split decision to O'Malley in 2022, almost exactly four years before this weekend's trilogy. O'Malley has since won two in a row after back-to-back title losses to Dvalishvili, beating Song Yadong on points and then knocking out Aiemann Zahabi in the second round on the UFC White House card in June. "For real, we have history, so why wouldn't that be the fight?" Yan said.

Yan on O'Malley's recent form

Yan said he is not particularly impressed by O'Malley's recent performances, but acknowledged that "Suga" keeps winning, is doing a good job and has shown he belongs among the next contenders for the belt. In the end, Yan said, the choice is not his to make: there are many top-five fighters he has already beaten, and he will face whoever the UFC puts in front of him.

Yan also cleared up recent comments about a possible move to featherweight. He explained that he had only been asked whether he would rather go down or up in weight and picked going up, and said a divisional change is not something he is considering while he still has a belt to defend and contenders to face at 135 pounds.

Expecting 25 minutes of wrestling

Yan regained the title in December 2025 with a decision win over Dvalishvili at UFC 323, avenging a 2023 loss and extending his winning streak to four. Dvalishvili has said he was not himself in that rematch, and Yan expects a very different approach on Saturday, predicting his rival will chase double legs and push the pace for the full five rounds. Yan said his team is ready to wrestle and to match the tempo if needed.

The two have already shared the octagon for ten full rounds, and Yan said he can picture stopping Dvalishvili and will put all of his effort into ending the fight early. Talk of being the greatest bantamweight ever can wait, he added, because the only thing that matters right now is getting the win.