Dvalishvili Braces for Grueling Weight Cut Before UFC 333 Showdown

Merab Dvalishvili is preparing for a difficult weight cut as he gears up for his highly anticipated bantamweight title rematch against Petr Yan at UFC 333 in Abu Dhabi on October 24.

The Georgian fighter, who previously held the bantamweight crown, acknowledged that cutting weight to make the 135-pound limit will prove demanding ahead of the trilogy encounter. Dvalishvili's candid assessment reflects the physical toll required by elite-level combat athletes competing at championship weight.

The UFC 333 event marks a third meeting between Dvalishvili and Yan, as the pair continue their rivalry in the highly competitive bantamweight division. Both fighters have previously traded victories in their series, setting the stage for a decisive final chapter.

Dvalishvili's transparency about the weight-cutting process underscores the considerable demands placed on mixed martial arts competitors beyond fight night preparation. The weight management challenge represents one of several hurdles athletes must overcome in their quest for championship glory.

Photo: Merab Dvalishvili celebrates with President Donald Trump cageside at UFC 316, Newark, June 2025. Margo Martin, The White House, via Wikimedia Commons (public domain).