Ali Akbar Rosady
Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) returns to the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday for UFC 323, headlined by a highly anticipated bantamweight championship rematch between the reigning titleholder Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Petr Yan. The main card is scheduled to commence at 10 p.m. ET, following the early preliminary bouts at 6 p.m. ET and the preliminary card at 8 p.m. ET.
The bantamweight division’s top prize will be on the line as Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili looks to extend his reign against Petr "No Mercy" Yan. This encounter marks a pivotal second meeting between the two elite 135-pounders, with their initial non-title bout seeing Dvalishvili emerge victorious via a dominant unanimous decision. This time, however, the stakes are considerably higher, with the coveted championship strap up for grabs.
Dvalishvili enters the contest as a significant favorite, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing him at -410, requiring a $410 wager to yield a $100 profit. Yan, aiming to reclaim his former glory, stands as the underdog at +320.
The Main Event: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2
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Merab Dvalishvili, the 34-year-old Georgian powerhouse, arrives at UFC 323 riding an impressive 14-bout winning streak, a testament to his relentless pressure and unparalleled wrestling acumen. Dvalishvili’s journey to the pinnacle of the bantamweight division has been marked by a series of high-profile victories. He first captured the UFC bantamweight title with a dominant unanimous decision over Sean O’Malley. Since then, he has successfully defended his championship on multiple occasions, showcasing his evolving skill set and unwavering cardio. His defenses include a unanimous decision victory against Umar Nurmagomedov, a submission win in a rematch against Sean O’Malley, and most recently, a unanimous decision over top contender Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 on October 4. Dvalishvili’s historic run has made him the first Georgian-born UFC champion, a record he continues to build upon.
"The Machine" has built his career on an exhausting, high-volume wrestling attack combined with relentless forward pressure. With a professional record of 21-4 (three wins by knockout, two by submission, and 16 by decision), Dvalishvili holds the UFC record for most wins by decision and the most takedowns landed in UFC history, with an astounding 117. His consistent performance has earned him a place among the elite, currently ranked No. 3 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings. His ability to maintain a suffocating pace throughout five rounds has proven to be a nightmare for his opponents, making him one of the most challenging stylistic matchups in the sport.
Across the octagon stands Petr Yan, the 32-year-old former UFC Bantamweight Champion and interim titleholder. Yan is currently on a three-bout winning streak, signaling his resurgence in the division after a challenging period. Known for his crisp boxing, technical striking, and exceptional counter-punching, Yan’s "No Mercy" moniker perfectly encapsulates his calculated yet aggressive approach. He has been a recipient of three Fight of the Night bonuses and one Performance of the Night award, demonstrating his penchant for thrilling encounters. Yan holds the distinction of being tied for the fourth-longest win streak in UFC bantamweight division history with seven consecutive victories during his initial ascent. Furthermore, he is tied for the third-most knockdowns in bantamweight history with 10.
Yan began his professional career in December 2014, quickly compiling an 8-1 record before joining the UFC in 2018. His impact was immediate, earning him the No. 5 Newcomer of the Year award in his debut year, followed by a Top-10 Fighter of the Year recognition in 2019. Currently ranked No. 3 in the UFC bantamweight rankings, Yan’s path back to a title shot has been hard-fought. His first encounter with Dvalishvili at UFC Fight Night 221 saw him largely outgrappled, highlighting a potential vulnerability against high-level wrestlers. However, Yan has shown an ability to adapt and evolve throughout his career, and his recent wins indicate a fighter determined to reclaim his place atop the division. This rematch offers Yan a crucial opportunity to not only avenge his previous loss but also to once again hold undisputed UFC gold.
Co-Main Event: Flyweight Championship Clash
In the co-main event, another championship will be contested as reigning flyweight king Alexandre "The Cannibal" Pantoja puts his title on the line against the surging contender Joshua Van. Pantoja, known for his aggressive, high-pressure style and dangerous grappling, enters as the -225 favorite. Van, a dynamic and promising talent, is listed as the +185 underdog, looking to pull off an upset and claim his first UFC championship.
Featured Bouts on the Main Card
Beyond the two championship contests, UFC 323 features several other compelling matchups:
- Brandon Moreno (+110) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-130): A pivotal flyweight encounter pits former champion Brandon Moreno against the undefeated Japanese prospect Tatsuro Taira. Moreno, an exciting striker with a relentless pace, aims to halt the rise of Taira, a grappling specialist who has yet to taste defeat in his professional career.
- Henry Cejudo (+205) vs. Payton Talbott (-250): The legendary "Triple C," Henry Cejudo, a former two-division UFC champion and Olympic gold medalist in wrestling, faces the highly touted bantamweight prospect Payton Talbott. Cejudo, returning from retirement and coming off recent losses, seeks to prove he still belongs at the elite level against the younger, explosive Talbott.
- Jan Blachowicz (-110) vs. Bogdan Guskov (-110): A light heavyweight clash sees former champion Jan Blachowicz, renowned for his "Polish Power" and devastating striking, take on the hard-hitting Bogdan Guskov in a pick’em fight. Both fighters are known for their finishing abilities, promising a potential slugfest.
Expert Betting Insights from Daniel Vithlani
For those seeking an edge in their UFC 323 picks, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has provided comprehensive analysis and betting advice. Vithlani has established himself as a consistent winner for SportsLine members since his debut in January 2023, boasting a 5-0 record for UFC 283 and accumulating over $1,500 in profits on his UFC main-card selections. His impressive track record includes accurately predicting the upset victory of Sean O’Malley (+210) over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292 as part of a 4-1 main card. Vithlani also successfully called underdog selections on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130) at UFC 299.
Among Vithlani’s UFC 323 selections is a pick for Chris Duncan (-108) to defeat Terrance McKinney (-112) in a lightweight preliminary card matchup. Vithlani expressed surprise at the close odds, anticipating Duncan to be a wider favorite. "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," Vithlani stated. He acknowledged McKinney’s threat, describing him as "an explosive finisher who is always dangerous," noting that in his 17-7 pro career, McKinney’s fights have gone past the first round only twice, never reaching a decision, and he has been finished in all of his losses. Vithlani concluded, "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."
For those interested in exploring Vithlani’s full range of predictions for the Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 main event and the entire UFC 323 card, detailed picks and analysis are available at SportsLine. Vithlani also backs a fighter he identifies as "the most savvy grappler in the division" to secure a significant victory on the card.
UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 Main Fight Card Odds:
- Merab Dvalishvili (-410) vs. Petr Yan (+320)
- Alexandre Pantoja (-225) vs. Joshua Van (+185)
- Brandon Moreno (+110) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-130)
- Henry Cejudo (+205) vs. Payton Talbott (-250)
- Jan Blachowicz (-110) vs. Bogdan Guskov (-110)
(Odds are subject to change)
Reminder: UFC content will be available on Paramount+ starting January 24, 2026. Sign up for Paramount+ with a free 7-day trial for future access.
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