Dvalishvili Dominates Yan Again, Pantoja Defends Flyweight Title at Electrifying UFC 323

Las Vegas, Nev. – Merab Dvalishvili emphatically retained his UFC Bantamweight Championship on Saturday night, securing a decisive unanimous decision victory over former titleholder Petr Yan in their highly anticipated rematch at UFC 323 inside the T-Mobile Arena. The Georgian champion’s relentless pressure and superior grappling proved insurmountable for Yan, solidifying Dvalishvili’s reign atop one of the UFC’s most competitive divisions. In the co-main event, Alexandre Pantoja successfully defended his UFC Flyweight Championship for the fifth time, overcoming a spirited challenge from rising contender Joshua Van.

The headline bout, a rematch of their March 11, 2023, encounter where Dvalishvili previously secured a unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45), saw "The Machine" once again outmaneuver "No Mercy." From the opening bell, Dvalishvili, known for his suffocating pace and powerful takedowns, executed his game plan with precision. He immediately sought to close the distance, denying Yan the space to unleash his potent striking combinations.

Merab Dvalishvili, now boasting an impressive 11-fight win streak, showcased his evolved striking, often mixing it effectively to set up his entries. While Yan landed several sharp counters in the early rounds, Dvalishvili absorbed them and pressed forward, often pinning Yan against the fence or taking him down. The Georgian’s control time on the ground was significant, though Yan displayed commendable defensive grappling, avoiding major damage and frequently working his way back to his feet. However, each stand-up was often temporary, as Dvalishvili consistently initiated new grappling sequences.

By the championship rounds, Yan appeared increasingly frustrated by Dvalishvili’s ceaseless offensive. Despite his reputation for durability and late-fight surges, Yan struggled to find a rhythm or create the space needed to mount a significant comeback. Dvalishvili’s cardio, a hallmark of his fighting style, remained uncompromised through all five rounds, allowing him to maintain a high output of strikes, takedown attempts, and control. The judges’ scorecards reflected Dvalishvili’s dominance, with all three scoring the contest 49-46 in favor of the champion, cementing his third successful title defense and leaving little doubt about his current standing as the division’s best. The victory further solidifies Dvalishvili’s position, potentially paving the way for a clash with another top contender or a super fight in the future. For Petr Yan, the loss marks a significant setback in his quest to reclaim the bantamweight throne, raising questions about his path forward in the division.

Related News :

In the co-main event, UFC Flyweight Champion Alexandre Pantoja showcased his championship pedigree, submitting the tenacious Joshua Van in the fourth round. Pantoja, who entered the fight aiming for his ninth straight victory and fifth title defense, faced a determined opponent in Van, who had won five consecutive fights, including three this year alone.

Pantoja, known as "The Cannibal" for his aggressive and relentless style, started strong, immediately putting pressure on Van with a mix of sharp striking and submission threats. Van, a dynamic striker with a high-volume attack, met Pantoja’s aggression with his own, engaging in several thrilling exchanges in the first two rounds. The challenger demonstrated impressive resilience, defending multiple submission attempts and escaping from dangerous positions on the ground.

However, Pantoja’s experience and elite-level grappling ultimately proved too much. In the third round, Pantoja began to wear down Van with persistent ground and pound and improved control. By the fourth round, a visibly fatigued Van struggled to defend a crucial takedown. Pantoja capitalized, transitioning swiftly to Van’s back and securing a rear-naked choke at 2:17 of the round, forcing the tap. The victory extends Pantoja’s remarkable win streak and solidifies his claim as one of the most dominant champions in the flyweight division’s history. Van, despite the loss, gained valuable experience against a top-tier opponent, and his performance suggested a bright future in the division.

Main Card Highlights:

The main card delivered a series of compelling matchups before the title fights. In a significant flyweight bout with potential title implications, rising undefeated prospect Tatsuro Taira shocked many by securing a split decision victory over former champion Brandon Moreno. Taira’s dynamic striking and well-timed takedowns allowed him to negate Moreno’s relentless pressure and land crucial blows, marking a breakthrough moment for the Japanese fighter. The scores were 29-28, 28-29, 29-28, highlighting the closely contested nature of the fight and establishing Taira as a legitimate threat in the 125-pound division. Moreno, a fan favorite, will need to reassess his strategy after this unexpected defeat.

Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo returned to the bantamweight division, facing off against promising prospect Payton Talbott. Cejudo, "The Messenger," utilized his Olympic wrestling background and veteran savvy to control significant portions of the fight, earning a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). While Talbott displayed flashes of his potential with sharp striking and quick movement, Cejudo’s experience in managing distance and implementing timely takedowns prevented the younger fighter from gaining sustained momentum. The win signals Cejudo’s intention to remain a contender at bantamweight.

In a pivotal light heavyweight clash, former champion Jan Blachowicz delivered a powerful performance, stopping Bogdan Guskov via technical knockout in the second round. Blachowicz, known for his "Polish Power," showed patience in the first round before unleashing a flurry of strikes that dropped Guskov early in the second. Following up with ground and pound, the referee was forced to intervene at 1:45 of the second round. The victory puts Blachowicz back in the win column and reaffirms his status as a top contender in the 205-pound division.

Prelims and Early Prelims Recap:

The preliminary card also featured several notable contests and standout performances.

In the featured prelim bout at lightweight, Grant Dawson showcased his formidable grappling, securing a third-round submission victory over Manuel Torres. Dawson, known for his wrestling prowess, controlled Torres for much of the fight before locking in a rear-naked choke at 3:10 of the final round, adding another win to his impressive record.

Terrance McKinney and Chris Duncan engaged in a high-octane lightweight battle, with Duncan ultimately emerging victorious via TKO in the second round. After a wild first round that saw both fighters land significant shots, Duncan caught McKinney with a perfectly timed right hand, leading to the stoppage at 2:05 of round two.

Maycee Barber continued her ascent in the women’s flyweight division, earning a unanimous decision victory over Karine Silva (29-28, 29-28, 30-27). Barber’s aggressive striking and improved defensive grappling were key to her success against the dangerous Silva.

Nazim Sadykhov and Fares Ziam delivered a tactical lightweight contest, with Ziam utilizing his length and precision striking to earn a close split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

The early prelims kicked off the evening with a series of exciting finishes and competitive matchups. Marvin Vettori, a ranked middleweight, showcased his resilience and cardio, outpointing Brunno Ferreira to a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).

Veteran featherweight Edson Barboza faced off against the explosive Jalin Turner in a lightweight bout. Turner’s power proved too much for Barboza, as he secured a first-round TKO at 4:12, signaling his readiness for higher-ranked competition.

In the light heavyweight division, Ibo Aslan delivered a devastating performance, stopping Iwo Baraniewski via TKO in the first round at 1:58. Mansur Abdul-Malik submitted Antonio Trocoli with an arm-triangle choke in the second round (2:30) of their middleweight clash. Opening the night, Muhammad Naimov secured a unanimous decision victory over Mairon Santos (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) in a featherweight encounter.

UFC 323 delivered an action-packed night of fights, reinforcing the status of its champions while introducing new contenders and shaping the landscape of several key divisions. The T-Mobile Arena crowd witnessed a night of high stakes, dramatic finishes, and compelling competitive narratives that will resonate through the mixed martial arts world in the coming weeks.