Merab Dvalishvili says he will wait however long it takes for Petr Yan to be ready, insisting the UFC has confirmed there will be no interim belt or alternative matchmaking for him in the meantime.
Dvalishvili spoke to MMA Junkie Radio ahead of his RAF wrestling match against Henry Cejudo on July 11 in Tbilisi.
The UFC told us that there’s no interim belt or there is no other fights. I deserve to fight Petr Yan, and I will have to wait for Petr Yan. I’m fine with that. Hopefully Petr comes soon and we will fight. If not, then however he will take, I want to fight him. That’s the best guy in my division now, and I want to fight the best guys because everybody else, I have beaten. Petr Yan is the real challenge for me, especially that it’s 1-1 between me and him, and I’m sure everybody will be excited about our trilogy.
Dvalishvili is recovering from a broken nose but said training has continued without issue.
My nose is good already. I’ve been training with the head gear on, the mask that is protecting my nose, and I’m fine.
Yan has undergone minor back surgery since dethroning Dvalishvili at UFC 323 in December, with his return timeline unclear. Sean O’Malley re-entered the title picture with his knockout of Aiemann Zahabi at UFC Freedom 250 but Dvalishvili has made his position clear.