Russian UFC champion discusses 'political issues' with Georgian fighter

UFC lightweight champion Petr Yan said that after the victory over Georgian fighter Merab Dvalishvili discussed with him a couple of “political issues”.

Jan 24 October won the referee’s decision and kept the championship belt.

“What did they talk about after the fight? We shook hands, said thank you to each other, congratulated each other on a great fight, and then sort of discussed a couple of political issues that will remain there, Yang told reporters after the fight. - I'm sure you'll hear about it. Microphones are everywhere, at some point it will come out, but I'd rather leave it between us for now until it's published."".

In August, Dvalishili was outraged by the appearance of the Russian flag in the Octagon after Makhachev's victory over Irishman Ian Garry in the UFC 330 tournament. The Georgian fighter said he was never allowed to carry a Georgian or American flag into the Octagon and called the situation "insane." In response, Makhachev said that he did not pay attention to the discontent of the Georgian, and expressed confidence that Peter Yan would again defeat Dvalishvili and “make him silence.”.

“When I saw his team bring the Russian flag into the octagon, I was upset,” Dvalishvili wrote on X’s social network.

He stressed that he does not hate Russian people, and his claims are related to the actions of the government, not ordinary citizens.

In my five UFC title fights, I was never allowed to carry a Georgian or American flag into the Octagon. For me, this is a very personal story related to what Russian politics and the government have done to my country.

Ian entered the ring with the Russian flag and in shorts. The flag was also placed on his shorts.

Dvalishvili is a former UFC lightweight champion. He won the belt in 2024, having held three defenses, but in December 2025 he lost it to Russian Peter Jan. On his account in MMA 22 victories and five defeats in mixed martial arts.