UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili confronted Petr Yan at the UFC 323 press conference after Yan claimed he fought their first bout with only one healthy arm.

Yan referenced their 2023 fight and said he was “far from at his healthiest” when he lost to Dvalishvili, reviving questions about the circumstances of that defeat.

Dvalishvili responded angrily to the suggestion. “Petr, you are better than this. Stop making excuses! Please, no excuses. I will beat you on December 6, what excuse are you going to make? Tell me now!” said Dvalishvili, according to MMA Fighting.

The reigning champion continued to press Yan about his current condition, asking: “Do you have any injuries now? Do you have injuries or no? Yes or no?” Yan replied: “I feel great. This Saturday you’re going to see me in the best shape of my life.”

The pair are scheduled to meet in the main event of UFC 323 on December 6, with Dvalishvili set to defend the bantamweight title. A win would make him the first champion in UFC history to claim four title defences in a single calendar year.

Dvalishvili and Yan first faced each other in 2023, when Dvalishvili secured a unanimous decision victory after repeatedly taking Yan to the mat in a bout that featured one of the highest takedown attempt totals in UFC history.

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