Robert Whittaker doesn’t think Petr Yan can hold out much hope of becoming the UFC bantamweight champion this weekend.
Yan (19-5 MMA, 11-4 UFC) gets a second shot at current 135-pound titleholder Merab Dvalishvili (21-4 MMA, 14-2 UFC) in the main event of UFC 323 this Saturday, two and a half years after losing a lopsided decision to “The Machine” in their first encounter.
“No Mercy” has shown improved form recently, winning three straight fights since that loss, enough to earn him another opportunity to compete for the belt he held during his title reign from 2020 to 2021. Still, former middleweight champion Whittaker is struggling to see a path to victory for the Russian against Dvalishvili this weekend.
“Okay, so there's always a puncher's chance in every fight,” Whittaker told Main Event TV. “Him shooting the same time Petr decides to throw a knee...it could happen. It can happen in any fight against anyone. But let's take that little tidbit out of the equation. I don't see it going any different.
“I think (Merab’s) gotten defensively more sound with his striking. I think he's much more comfortable. Striking and mixing it in with the takedowns. And once he establishes takedowns, his striking is going to look better for it. And that's what he did against (Cory) Sandhagen (at UFC 320 in October). That's what he did against all the other guys he's come across.”
Dvalishvili is aiming to become the first champion in promotional history to record four title defenses in a single calendar year, having already rattled off wins over Umar Nurmagomedov, Sean O’Malley, and Cory Sandhagen. The Georgian also has the opportunity to tie T.J. Dillashaw for the most championship victories in the division’s history if he emerges victorious in the main event at T-Mobile Arena.
With the champion breaking records left and right, Whittaker isn’t optimistic about Petr Yan’s chances this Saturday.
“I don't see where his avenue for victory is,” Whittaker said. “You have to ‘out-Merab’ Merab. He's special. I don't think there are two of him in the world. He's shot (for takedowns) north of 40 times in their first meeting. Yeah, I don't see where that avenue of victory lies for Petr. And he's a great fighter, don't get me wrong. I just don't know where he beats Merab.”
