Petr Yan’s next bout is locked in as a bantamweight title trilogy against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333 on October 24 in Abu Dhabi, producing the market’s overwhelming consensus. Yan reclaimed the belt with a dominant unanimous-decision win over Dvalishvili at UFC 323 last December, snapping the Georgian’s long win streak and avenging their 2023 loss while showcasing superior striking volume and body work. Dvalishvili has since addressed preparation concerns, including a new coaching addition and a noted nose issue, yet the confirmed matchup leaves little room for alternatives in the division. An injury withdrawal, late card change, or unforeseen UFC scheduling shift could still open the door for contenders such as Sean O’Malley or Umar Nurmagomedov.