UFC 323 Readies for Bantamweight Championship Showdown as Merab Dvalishvili Faces Petr Yan in Highly Anticipated Rematch

Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to host a pivotal bantamweight championship bout this Saturday, December 6, at UFC 323, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili will defend his title against former undisputed and interim champion Petr Yan in a contest billed as "Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2," underscoring the anticipation surrounding their second encounter.

Dvalishvili, widely recognized for his relentless grappling and unparalleled cardio, enters the octagon as the division’s dominant force. The 34-year-old Georgian-born champion recently secured his third successful title defense, a unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 on October 4. This latest win extended his remarkable professional record to 21-4, building on a formidable 14-bout winning streak that has solidified his position atop the bantamweight ranks and earned him the No. 3 spot in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.

The champion’s resume is marked by a consistent ability to control fights and dictate pace, often culminating in decision victories. Of his 21 professional wins, an impressive 16 have come by way of decision, setting a new UFC record for most decision victories in the promotion’s history. His wrestling prowess is equally historic, with 117 takedowns landed, the most in UFC history. Dvalishvili’s path to the championship included a unanimous decision win over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306, followed by defenses against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 and a submission victory over O’Malley at UFC 316, before his recent triumph against Sandhagen. His aggressive, high-pressure style has also garnered him two Performance of the Night and two Fight of the Night bonuses.

Across the octagon stands Petr Yan, a formidable striker known for his precision, power, and tactical brilliance. The 32-year-old Russian fighter, a former UFC bantamweight champion and interim champion, is currently enjoying a resurgence, riding a three-bout winning streak. His most recent outing saw him secure a unanimous decision win over Marcus McGhee at UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder on July 26. Yan’s professional record is 18-4, featuring nine wins by knockout, one by submission, and eight by decision.

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Yan’s career has been highlighted by a seven-fight win streak within the UFC bantamweight division, a feat that ties him for the fourth-longest in the division’s history. He is also tied for third in bantamweight history with 10 knockdowns, testament to his striking capabilities. Since joining the UFC in 2018, Yan quickly established himself as a top contender, earning accolades such as No. 5 Newcomer of the Year in 2018 and a Top-10 Fighter of the Year in 2019. He has received three Fight of the Night bonuses and one Performance of the Night. Currently ranked No. 3 in the UFC bantamweight rankings, Yan seeks to reclaim the undisputed title and reassert his dominance in the division.

In the latest UFC 323 odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, Merab Dvalishvili is listed as the favorite at -410, requiring a wager of $410 to yield a $100 profit. Petr Yan enters as the underdog at +320, meaning a $100 bet on Yan would return $320 if he secures the victory. These odds reflect Dvalishvili’s current momentum and championship reign, while still acknowledging Yan’s potential for an upset given his pedigree and striking power.

The co-main event of UFC 323 features another championship contest, as defending flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja puts his belt on the line against challenger Joshua Van. Pantoja, known for his aggressive submission game and relentless pace, is favored at -225. His opponent, Joshua Van, who has quickly risen through the ranks, is listed at +185. This matchup promises a high-octane affair in one of the UFC’s most exciting divisions.

Further bolstering the main card, a compelling bantamweight clash sees former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno (+110) facing the undefeated Tatsuro Taira (-130). Moreno, a fan favorite, looks to rebound from recent challenges, while Taira aims to maintain his perfect professional record and continue his ascent in the bantamweight division. Another intriguing bantamweight bout pits Olympic gold medalist and former two-division champion Henry Cejudo (+205) against the highly touted prospect Payton Talbott (-250). Cejudo, returning from retirement, seeks to prove he still belongs among the elite, while Talbott looks to make a significant statement against a legendary figure. Rounding out the main card, a light heavyweight showdown presents Jan Blachowicz (-110) against Bogdan Guskov (-110), a tightly contested matchup between two powerful strikers.

For those engaging with the event from a betting perspective, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has offered detailed predictions and betting advice. Vithlani, a highly analytical UFC bettor, has demonstrated consistent success since his debut in January 2023, boasting a 5-0 record for UFC 283 and accumulating over $1,500 in profit on his UFC main-card picks. His notable calls include predicting Sean O’Malley’s upset victory (+210) over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, as well as underdog selections on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130) at UFC 299.

Vithlani’s insights extend beyond the main card. For the preliminary card, he has backed Chris Duncan (-108) to defeat Terrance McKinney (-112) in a lightweight matchup. "The odds for this matchup surprised me, as I expected Duncan to be a much wider favorite," Vithlani stated. "Duncan is on a three-fight win streak and is now 5-1 in the UFC. He’s shown off a solid kickboxing game, a lethal squeeze on his chokeholds and great durability and determination. Duncan fights with a hard-nosed style and refuses to be denied even when the fight isn’t going his way."

Analyzing McKinney, Vithlani noted, "McKinney is an explosive finisher who is always dangerous. In his 17-7 pro career, McKinney’s fights have gone past the first round just twice. He has never fought to a decision and has been finished in all of his losses. McKinney’s flying knees and rear-naked chokes could put Duncan in danger, but I believe Duncan’s mentality and physicality will give him the edge. If Duncan lands a heavy counterpunch in traffic, McKinney might not stand back up."

UFC 323 is structured with early preliminaries commencing at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the preliminary card at 8 p.m. ET. The main card, featuring the Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 championship fight, is scheduled to begin at 10 p.m. ET. Fans looking to engage with betting opportunities can explore various platforms, including the DraftKings promo code offering $200 in bonus bets if a qualifying bet wins, and the FanDuel promo code providing $150 in bonus bets instantly if a $5 bet wins. Additionally, the Underdog promo code offers $100 in site credits when playing $5 with the code CBSSPORTS2 in select states.

Looking ahead, the UFC broadcast landscape is set to evolve, with UFC content scheduled to begin streaming on Paramount+ starting January 24, 2026. Until then, fans can anticipate a night of high-stakes mixed martial arts action at UFC 323, as Dvalishvili and Yan prepare to settle their rivalry and the bantamweight division’s top spot hangs in the balance.

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