The bantamweight rivalry between Petr Yan and Merab Dvalishvili is set for a third chapter, and according to Sean O’Malley and MMA Guru on their latest podcast episode, Yan may be showing up to the trilogy matchup looking like a different man entirely.
The pair broke down the newly announced UFC 333 co-main event, where Yan and Dvalishvili will finally settle their 1-1 series. O’Malley, who holds a win over Yan by knockout on October 22, 2022, in Abu Dhabi, noted that Dvalishvili’s nose took serious damage in their first encounter and could be a target again given Yan’s precise boxing.
“Petr goes out there, dominates-ish in the rematch. It’s 1-1. Petr Yan, he had some kind of surgery in the off-season and after the fig ht. Merab’s nose is absolutely just trashed. Bro, Petr lands beautiful jabs, beautiful straight punches, and he’s going to crack that nose, and that is going to be an issue in that next fig ht,” O’Malley said.
The conversation then took an unexpected turn when talk shifted to Yan’s offseason activities, with MMA Guru suggesting the former champion has been working on more than just his striking.
“I wonder is this the dawn of a new legacy for high-tier normie Petr Yan? He’s been looksmaxxing. Hair transplant, new veneers in his mouth,” Guru said.
Guru backed up the claim, pointing to reported cosmetic work as part of Yan’s transformation.
“He’s been doing his thing, dude. He’s been bonesmashing,” MMA Guru said.
O’Malley admitted he was surprised by the report, joking that Yan’s smile never needed the upgrade. “His weren’t even that bad,” he said, to which MMA Guru replied, “No, but he wants them better.”
O’Malley didn’t hold back on his intentions for Yan’s new look, either. “Oh, I want to break those teeth. I want to knee right through his teeth,” he said.
The discussion also touched on a separate surgery Yan reportedly underwent, with some confusion over exactly what was operated on. “Yeah, he got like his inner groin, whatever muscle that is. What is his groin? He got a surgery on it, I believe,” MMA Guru said, while O’Malley initially thought it was a back procedure.
Whatever the truth behind the cosmetic rumors, both hosts agreed the trilogy match carries real stakes, including a possible path back to a title shot for O’Malley himself depending on the outcome.
“If Petr Yan goes out there and gets the job done, Suga Show, we’re figh ting for a title again, whether people like it or not,” O’Malley said.
Yan and Dvalishvili headline the bantamweight portion of UFC 333, with fans now left wondering just how different the challenger will look walking into the Octagon.
