Chael Sonnen's Warning: Merab Dvalishvili Risks Losing Immediate Petr Yan Rematch

Former UFC fighter Chael Sonnen has made an unconfirmed assertion that the upcoming bout between Sean O’Malley and Aiemann Zahabi on June 14 will surprisingly be contested for the interim UFC bantamweight championship. The UFC has not yet officially corroborated this claim.

Merab Dvalishvili is widely anticipated to face current two-time bantamweight champion Petr Yan in a rematch once Yan recovers and is cleared to compete. Yan has recently shared updates indicating his return to training after back surgery, with reports suggesting he might be ready to fight by the third quarter of 2026.

Meanwhile, Dvalishvili has sustained another significant nose injury during training. Although surgical reconstruction is necessary for “The Machine” to compete optimally, the Georgian fighter is prioritizing dethroning Yan and reclaiming his past glory. He has stated his intent to fight this year despite the severe injury, delaying surgery until after his retirement, based on a promise from the UFC for an immediate title rematch.

Chael Sonnen’s Controversial Assertion

UFC Hall of Famer Chael Sonnen asserts that the planned fight between Sean O’Malley and Aiemann Zahabi on June 14, reportedly taking place on the South Lawn of the White House, will unexpectedly crown an interim bantamweight champion.

During a recent YouTube video on his channel, he said:

“Sean O’Malley’s fight at the White House has been elevated to an interim title fight, which means a couple of things. First off get well to Petr Yan and secondly it doesn’t look like Merab will be getting that immediate rematch.”

Should Sonnen’s information prove accurate, it would mean “The Machine” would be denied the immediate title rematch with Yan that UFC officials reportedly guaranteed to conclude their rivalry.