Bantamweight King Dvalishvili Defends Gold Against Yan in Marquee UFC 323 Rematch

Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is set to host a pivotal night of mixed martial arts action this Saturday, headlined by a highly anticipated bantamweight championship rematch at UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2. Champion Merab Dvalishvili will put his bantamweight title on the line against former division kingpin Petr Yan at the iconic T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card is scheduled to commence at 10 p.m. ET, following early preliminary bouts at 6 p.m. ET and preliminary fights at 8 p.m. ET.

The main event marks the second encounter between Dvalishvili and Yan, with the champion having previously defeated Yan in their prior matchup. Dvalishvili, widely regarded for his relentless pace and suffocating grappling, enters the contest as the favored fighter. His current odds stand at -410, requiring a $410 wager to yield a $100 profit, according to the latest UFC 323 odds released by DraftKings Sportsbook. Petr Yan, seeking to reclaim the undisputed bantamweight championship, is listed as the underdog at +320, meaning a $100 bet would return $320 if he emerges victorious.

Dvalishvili’s Dominant Reign and Unprecedented Records

Merab Dvalishvili, 34, has established himself as a dominant force in the bantamweight division, arriving at UFC 323 on an impressive 14-bout winning streak. The Georgian-born champion made history by becoming the first fighter from his nation to capture a UFC title, a feat he accomplished by defeating Sean O’Malley via unanimous decision at UFC 306 in September 2024. Since then, Dvalishvili has successfully defended his championship on three occasions, setting a new record for bantamweight title defenses. His championship reign includes a unanimous decision victory over Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January, a submission win against Sean O’Malley at UFC 316 in June, and most recently, a unanimous decision triumph over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 on October 4.

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With a professional record of 21 wins and 4 losses, Dvalishvili’s fighting style is characterized by unparalleled pressure and an elite wrestling pedigree. Sixteen of his 21 victories have come by decision, a testament to his exceptional cardio and ability to control opponents for the full duration of a fight. He holds the UFC record for most wins by decision and also leads the promotion in all-time takedowns landed, with a remarkable 117. His relentless pursuit of takedowns and top control has made him a nightmare matchup for many contenders. Dvalishvili’s consistent performances have earned him a coveted position as No. 3 in the official UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, alongside two Performance of the Night and two Fight of the Night bonuses throughout his career.

Yan’s Resurgence and Quest for Redemption

Petr Yan, 32, arrives at this championship rematch with renewed momentum, having strung together three consecutive victories. A former UFC interim bantamweight champion and undisputed bantamweight champion, Yan is no stranger to holding UFC gold. 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, signaling his return to elite form.

Yan, known for his crisp striking, tactical prowess, and unwavering durability, has been a fixture at the top of the bantamweight division since making his professional debut in December 2014. After compiling an 8-1 record outside the UFC, he joined the promotion in 2018, where he was recognized as the No. 5 Newcomer of the Year. His impressive run continued into 2019, earning him a spot among the Top-10 Fighters of the Year. He currently sits at No. 3 in the UFC bantamweight rankings. Yan’s career accolades include three Fight of the Night bonuses and one Performance of the Night award. Historically, he is tied for the fourth-longest win streak in UFC bantamweight division history with seven consecutive victories and is tied for the third-most knockdowns in bantamweight history with 10, highlighting his potent striking arsenal. This rematch offers Yan a crucial opportunity to avenge his previous loss to Dvalishvili and reclaim the bantamweight title he once held.

Co-Main Event and Undercard Highlights

Beyond the bantamweight championship clash, UFC 323 features a compelling co-main event for the flyweight title, where defending champion Alexandre Pantoja is set to face challenger Joshua Van. Pantoja enters as the -225 favorite, reflecting his established dominance in the division, while Van is positioned as the +185 underdog, looking to pull off a significant upset and claim his first UFC title.

The main card is further bolstered by several high-stakes matchups:

• Brandon Moreno (+110) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-130): A critical flyweight bout pitting former champion Brandon Moreno against rising contender Tatsuro Taira.
• Henry Cejudo (+205) vs. Payton Talbott (-250): Former two-division champion Henry Cejudo returns to face the highly-touted prospect Payton Talbott in a bantamweight encounter.
• Jan Blachowicz (-110) vs. Bogdan Guskov (-110): Former light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz takes on Bogdan Guskov in a tightly contested light heavyweight matchup, with both fighters currently at even odds.

Expert Insights and Betting Projections

For those looking to navigate the betting landscape of UFC 323, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has provided comprehensive MMA predictions and betting advice. Vithlani has established a strong track record since his debut in January 2023, beginning with an impressive 5-0 record for UFC 283. His insights have consistently yielded positive returns for SportsLine members, with Vithlani reportedly up over $1,500 on his UFC main-card sports betting picks. Notable past successes include correctly predicting Sean O’Malley’s upset victory (+210) over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292 as part of a 4-1 main card performance. He also accurately picked underdogs Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130) at UFC 299.

Vithlani has analyzed the entire UFC 323 card, offering his top betting picks and best bets. Among his highlighted preliminary card selections, he is backing 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."

Regarding 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."

Further insights from Vithlani include a prediction for a fighter he describes as "the most savvy grappler in the division" to secure a significant victory on the card. Additional detailed picks and analysis are available through SportsLine.

New users interested in sports betting opportunities can utilize specific promotional codes. DraftKings offers $200 in bonus bets if a new user’s initial bet wins. Underdog provides $100 in site credits when playing $5 with the promo code CBSSPORTS2 in select states. FanDuel also has an offer for new users, providing $150 in bonus bets instantly if their initial $5 bet wins.

UFC 323 promises a night of high-stakes action and potential title changes, with the bantamweight championship rematch at its core, shaping the landscape of two of the UFC’s most competitive divisions.

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