MMA Preview – Petr Yan vs Merab Dvalishvili at UFC Fight Night 221
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PETR YAN VS MERAB DVALISHVILI FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 221? Saturday 11th March, 2023 - 21:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 221? The Theatre at Virgin Hotels, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 221? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 221 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 221? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
PETR YAN VS MERAB DVALISHVILI LOWDOWN
Who would have thought Petr Yan (16-4) would be 1-3 in his last four, three years ago. The first loss was his own doing getting disqualified by sending an illegal knee to Aljamain Sterling’s (2021) cranium. That snapped a 10-fight win streak, but he quickly got back in the win column with a quality unanimous decision over Cory Sandhagen (2021). However, he is now coming off two split decision losses. Firstly, in the rematch with Sterling (2021) and Sean O’Malley (2022) which could have easily gone the other way.
He now takes on another lower ranked fighter who is incredibly dangerous. No bantamweights want a piece of Merab Dvalishvili (15-4) who is sitting on an eight-fight win streak. He is coming off two big-name fights, knocking out Marlon Moraes (2021) and outpointing Jose Aldo (2022) but this is the fight that puts him into the title picture with a dub.
PETR YAN VS MERAB DVALISHVILI PREDICTION
We all know how Dvalishvili will approach this and that will be to close the distance as soon as possible, tie Yan up and try and drag him down to the canvas. So, the question is whether Yan can stuff the takedowns or do enough damage on the feet in between attempts.
We know Yan is tuned for five rounds and although Dvalishvili has never been past the third, he is a machine. He puts on a relentless pace for 15 minutes, so if this goes into the fourth round, it will be very interesting to see how much gas he has left.
Yan will be very confident of finding the chin before the Georgian enforces his wrestling. Moraes was landing at will before he faded and Yan has the stamina to offload technical and powerful strikes until the bell. Dvalishvili on the other hand will be even more confident after seeing his team mate out grapple him.
Yan could not be better prepared for this after his fights with Sterling. His Muay Thai knees and elbows will be a severe threat when he shoots in and he has the strength and technique to prevent getting taken down for a couple rounds at least.
Dvalishvili does not have the size of Sterling but he has the wrestling and cardio to be a constant thorn. Yan needs to be patient but open up at the right times.
We expect a lot of clinch work where Yan is extremely strong and dangerous with his knees, elbows and sweeps. However, the Georgian has the pressure to make this boring and grind out three rounds at least.
A punt on a Dvalishvili decision is a no brainer as the underdog, but avoiding Yan’s eight limbs for five rounds is a tough ask. We have a feeling his wrestling will push him over the line, but it feels wrong to count out Yan.
Prediction: Dvalishvili via Decision - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
Value bet: Dvalishvili via Decision
