UFC Las Vegas: Merab Dvalishvili runs through Petr Yan (Video)
Merab Dvalishvili sets new UFC record for takedown attempts in a single fight as he dominates former champion Petr Yan in their bad blood-filled UFC Las Vegas main event.
Even against the teammate of his heated rival, Petr Yan seemed to find no luck, as he dropped a decision to Merab Dvalishvili in the main event of UFC Las Vegas.
Dvalishvili completely controlled the fight, especially on the grappling end, where he set a new UFC record for most takedown attempts in a single fight. Dvalishvili landed 11 of his 49 takedown attempts.
There was plenty of bad blood in this bout after the two got into a heated physical altercation at the weigh-ins.
Machine like output by @MerabDvalishvil! #UFCLasVegas pic.twitter.com/LlIhOyTikJ
— UFC (@ufc) March 12, 2023
Merab Dvalishvili busts up and controls Petr Yan in bantamweight contender battle at UFC Las Vegas
Dvalishvili scrambled quickly at the start, briefly scoring one takedown early and landing a few strong shots. Yan felt out his opponent as the two traded, but Dvalishvili focused his attack and performed well on the inside. This included calf kicks to the leg by Dvalishvili, which marked up Yan in the opening round. Dvalishvili scored another takedown and landed shots from top before the end of the first five minutes.
Dvalishvili got off to another hot start in the second round, briefly taking Yan down and landing a couple of shots to the head when Yan got back up. Dvalishvili continued his attack, landing upstairs and continuing to damage Yan's leg with calf kicks. Dvalishvili then landed another takedown on a troubled Yan. Yan managed to get on top and battle back, but Dvalishvili got his fourth takedown in the fight before the second round ended.
Dvalishvili seemed to continue to control the fight in the third, but it was a close round due to Yan getting back into the fight and landing the cleaner, crisper strikes. About a minute into the fourth round, however, Dvalishvili briefly got Yan back on the ground. Yan countered, however, and battled Dvalishvili for grappling control. But Dvalishvili took back the momentum with power shots around Yan's eye, busting up pretty badly.
All three judges gave Dvalishvili every round, scoring the fight 50-45 in favor of Dvalishvili.