Petr Yan’s next outing centers on the long-running rivalry with Merab Dvalishvili, whose two prior meetings produced one win apiece and created clear demand for a trilogy. Yan’s recovery timeline from minor back surgery aligns with an October 2026 date in Abu Dhabi, where the UFC has reportedly targeted the rematch as his title defense. Traders price Dvalishvili at essentially 100 percent because no other bantamweight has comparable stylistic history, ranking proximity, or promotional momentum. A setback in Yan’s rehabilitation, a shift in UFC scheduling priorities, or an unexpected withdrawal could reopen the field, though current official timelines and public statements from both camps continue to point squarely at the Georgian champion.