Former UFC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz envisions Petr Yan defeating Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323. If he follows a sure path.
UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will defend his belt for the fourth time in 2025 when he takes on Petr Yan at UFC 323 subsequent month. Two years after Dvalishvili delivered a record-breaking efficiency towards Yan of their first struggle, the 2 bantamweights will meet once more as Yan seems to be to reclaim the 135-pound title.
Since their first encounter, each fighters, particularly Dvalishvili, have improved their talent units. After initially establishing himself as a wrestling powerhouse, Dvalishvili honed his abilities and proved himself to be an cardio machine.
One of many biggest bantamweights of all time believes Yan is aware of what he must do to defeat Dvalishvili, however that might be simpler mentioned than finished.
Dominick Cruz lays out roadmap to victory over Petr Yan at UFC 323
In a latest present, bone hearth Podcast’s Dominick Cruz gave a candid evaluation of what Yan must do to take the title from Dvalishvili at UFC 323.
“In the event you get 10 takedowns as a substitute of fifty, you may in all probability win. Simply give it some thought. It is actually easy. 40 fewer takedowns, is that doable for Petr Yan? I believe it’s totally doable,” Cruz mentioned.
“That is how he (Dvalishvili) does it, so in the event you’re Petr Yan, what do it’s a must to do? Nicely, if I can get 10 takedowns as a substitute of fifty, I am already giving myself a 40% higher probability.” (h/t Bloody Elbow)
Yan has proven enchancment in his grappling in latest wins over Deibson Figueiredo, Marcus McGee, and Music Yadong. He has the most effective boxing within the bantamweight division.
Dvalishvili tried a document 49 takedowns towards Yan within the first struggle, and holds the document for many takedowns in UFC historical past (117). He just lately set a document with 20 takedowns in his UFC title struggle towards Cory Sandhagen.
