UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will defend his title for the fourth time next month in 2025 at UFC 323 against Petr Yan. Two years after Dvalishvili put in a record-breaking performance against Yan in their first bout, the two bantamweights are set to turn it around as Yan looks to reclaim the 135-pound throne.
Since their first clash, both fighters have improved in their skills, especially Dvalishvili. After his initial ascension as a heavy-wrestling juggernaut, Dvalishvili has rounded out his skills and proven himself as a cardio machine.
One of the greatest bantamweights of all time believes he knows what Yan needs to do to beat Dvalishvili, but that’s easier said than done.
Dominick Cruz paves a roadmap to a victory over Petr Yan at UFC 323
In a recent appearance on The Bohn Fire podcast, Dominick Cruz gave a blunt assessment of what Yan needs to do to dethrone Dvalishvili at UFC 323.
“Just get taken down 10 times instead of 50, and you’ll probably win. Think about that for a moment, it’s that simple. Cut 40 takedowns, is that possible for Petr Yan? I think it’s very possible,” Cruz said.
“This is what he [Dvalishvili] If you are Petr Yan, what should you do? Well, if I just get ten takedowns instead of fifty, I’ve already given myself a 40% better chance.” (h/t Bloody elbow)
Yan has shown improved wrestling in recent wins over Deiveson Figueiredo, Marcus McGhee and Song Yadong. He has some of the best boxing in the bantamweight division.
In their first fight, Dvalishvili attempted a record 49 takedowns against Yan, and he holds the record for most takedowns in UFC history (117). He recently set a record with 20 takedowns in a single UFC title fight against Cory Sandhagen.
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