Overview
- Merab Dvalishvili told The Ariel Helwani Show the UFC personally assured him the next title opportunity and he intends to wait for a trilogy with Petr Yan.
- Petr Yan underwent lumbar surgery in January and, though speaking publicly about returning, has no confirmed fight date.
- Yan said he wants to compete at the planned White House card and urged the UFC to keep politics out of fighter selection for the event.
- The champion added that July or August would be acceptable return windows if the White House slot does not materialize.
- Yan acknowledged Sean O’Malley remains a possible opponent and joked about O’Malley’s hair for the White House card, while media have floated a Dvalishvili–O’Malley interim option that the UFC has not booked.