Dvalishvili embraces 'decision machine' label ahead of Yan bantamweight trilogy at UFC 333

Merab Dvalishvili is leaning into his reputation as one of the UFC’s least likely finishers, declaring himself a “decision machine” as he prepares to defend the bantamweight title against Petr Yan in a trilogy bout at UFC 333 on 24 October at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

When a fan asked the Georgian champion how he planned to beat Yan, Dvalishvili kept his answer short and self-deprecating. “There are three ways to win: knockout, submission, or decision,” he said. “I’m a decision machine.”

The joke lands because the numbers back it up. Sixteen of Dvalishvili’s 21 career victories have gone to the judges, a ratio that reflects his style more than any lack of ambition — relentless forward pressure and suffocating wrestling that grinds opponents into submission on the scorecards rather than on the canvas.

He has, however, shown he can finish fights when the opportunity arises. His two UFC stoppages include a technical knockout of Marlon Moraes in 2021 and a submission of Sean O’Malley in his second title defence last year, the latter demonstrating that his grappling can end bouts outright against elite competition.

The UFC 333 matchup completes a trilogy that has already produced two competitive bouts between the pair. Yan, a former champion himself, represents the most credible threat to Dvalishvili’s title reign, and the Abu Dhabi card shapes up as one of the promotion’s marquee events of the autumn.

Whether Dvalishvili adds a third finish to his record or extends his decision tally, the champion appears unbothered by the narrative — and comfortable enough in his own game to make it the punchline.