Petr Yan relieved to close trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili: ‘This was a long, laborious story’

Petr Yan can relaxation straightforward now that he has closed a main chapter in his preventing profession.

Yan (21-5 MMA, 13-4 UFC) defended his UFC bantamweight title against long-time rival Dvalishvili (21-6 MMA, 14-4 UFC) this Saturday in the co-main occasion of UFC 333 at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. It wasn’t just another win for Yan, it was the closing of a historic trilogy that spanned three years. Being the winner of the sequence, Yan feels relieved now that he’s still holding the UFC bantamweight title.

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“I’m very happy that this trilogy ended with me being on top,” Yan said through an interpreter at the UFC 233 post-fight press convention. “This was a long, hard story that made me work harder and made me bring out the best in myself.”

Many have Dvalishvili as the best bantamweight of all time, although this consequence might change some opinions. There is no doubt, regardless of precise rating, that Dvalishvili is one of the best to ever do it in the weight class. Yan would not need to self-proclaim any spot on the GOAT checklist, and he would not need to put a label on Dvalishvili either.

“I won’t call him the best of the third best, it’s just that every decade, every time, has its own champions, its own heroes and best fighters, and it’s not for me to say that, but is more for you to say,” Yan said. “You guys are the ones figuring out the sport. You guys are the ones calling people names.”

Apart from being sporting rivals, there’s been pressure between Dvalishvili and Yan all through the years. They’re not precisely associates now, but they go away UFC 333 at least with mutual respect.

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“We shook hands, said thank you to each other, and congratulated each other on a great fight, and then we discussed a few political issues that are going to stay there,” Yan said. “I’m sure you’ll hear it; there are microphones everywhere, and I’m sure it’ll come out, but I’d rather leave it between us for now.”

This article initially appeared on MMA Junkie: Petr Yan relieved to close trilogy with Merab Dvalishvili: ‘This was a long, laborious story’