""That was my goal, to be busy this year. Thank you UFC to make this one happen, because I was willing to fight four times this year, and it's happening. Here we are in Fight Week, today is Wednesday. All I have to do is make weight, and be happy after." Dvalishvili admits that his weight cuts are "never easy," but added that he's felt worse on Wednesdays, whereas "today, I'm good.""
"Saturday's showdown with Yan comes after Dvalishvili took the Russian ex-champ the distance the first time around. As to what might be different, "I'm looking for finishing," stated Dvalishvili. "It's going to be tough, because nobody ever finished him. But yeah, I want to win against him, another win, and of course it's going to be a record, fourth fight, fought win this year and another win in the UFC. Every win is important for me, important for my country and my team.""
Merab Dvalishvili aims to become the first UFC champion to defend a title four times in a single calendar year at UFC 323 against Petr Yan. Dvalishvili scheduled a busy campaign deliberately and expressed gratitude to the promotion for making the fourth fight possible. Weight cuts remain challenging, though he reported feeling good entering fight week. Dvalishvili previously took Yan the distance and now seeks a finish despite Yan's durability. He values each win for himself, his country, and his team. Dvalishvili identified Aiemann Zahabi and Song Yadong as emerging contenders in the bantamweight division.
Read at Cageside Press
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