Song Yadong picks Petr Yan to outlast Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 333 after title momentum

UFC 333 is set to spotlight bantamweight matchups with title-picture implications, and one of the division’s top ranked fighters is already making his case for how the main question gets answered. Song Yadong, a leading contender in the UFC’s bantamweight ranks, believes champion Petr Yan has built enough momentum from his title win to get the better of Merab Dvalishvili again.

The crux of Yadong’s argument centers on timing and momentum, not just style. Dvalishvili is known for relentless pressure and volume, the kind of grappling and forward motion that can turn fights into a test of endurance and control. Yan, in Yadong’s framing, has the advantage because championship experience and confidence gained after winning a belt can change how a fighter manages the early and middle phases, particularly when faced with an opponent who thrives on sustained output.

Yadong’s comments also reflect how UFC bantamweight title scenes often hinge on more than a single tactical sequence. A rematch at this level typically forces both camps to recalibrate, but it also rewards the champion’s ability to shape the fight tempo, defend the most dangerous entries, and capitalize during moments when the challenger’s pace creates openings. In that sense, Yadong’s pick implies Yan can respect Dvalishvili’s forward progress while still landing his own offense often enough to avoid being dragged into a purely grind-focused contest.

If Dvalishvili’s style is to win by overwhelming a foe’s gas tank and making control continuous, Yan’s path, as presented by Yadong, is to make those extended sequences more costly. That could involve sharper responses to takedown setups, improved reversals or positional defense, and a willingness to turn defensive moments into counterattacks that break rhythm. For fans, the matchup therefore becomes a question of who dictates the pace more consistently over five rounds.

The importance of this debate goes beyond a single prediction. A win for the champion would reinforce Yan’s claim to the division’s top spot and underline that his title run was not a brief peak. For Dvalishvili, a loss would raise the pressure on how long the UFC can keep him in the title conversation based on wins alone, especially if the challenger’s marquee matchup has already produced a champion-level counter. Either way, UFC 333’s bantamweight centerpiece will likely influence the order of future title shots and eliminator conversations throughout the division.

At the same time, Yadong’s view is only one fighter’s read, and stylistic matchups in MMA can flip on details that are hard to measure before the cage door closes. Even if momentum is a real factor, the fight’s flow, the first few exchanges, and the ability to execute under pressure will ultimately determine the outcome. What to watch on fight night is whether Yan can prevent Dvalishvili’s most effective patterns from turning into repeated, fatigue-inducing phases, and whether Dvalishvili can keep the fight where he is most comfortable.

For now, the storyline entering UFC 333 is straightforward: Yadong sees the champion’s post-win momentum as the differentiator against Dvalishvili’s pressure-based game plan. If Yan’s performance matches that expectation, it will strengthen the case that Petr Yan is not just a bantamweight champion, but a champion built to handle the division’s most relentless challengers. If Dvalishvili finds a way to neutralize Yan’s adjustments, the rematch narrative could turn quickly into a wider debate about who truly sets the standard in the weight class.