UFC 323: Bantamweight Champion Dvalishvili Faces Yan in Highly Anticipated Rematch at T-Mobile Arena

Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is poised for a monumental night of mixed martial arts action this Saturday, as reigning bantamweight king Merab Dvalishvili prepares to defend his title against former champion Petr Yan in the main event of UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2. The championship showdown headlines a stacked card emanating from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the main card commencing at 10 p.m. ET. Early preliminary bouts are scheduled to kick off the event at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the full preliminary card at 8 p.m. ET.

The highly anticipated rematch pits two of the bantamweight division’s most formidable competitors against each other, with significant implications for the landscape of the 135-pound weight class. Dvalishvili enters the bout as a substantial favorite, currently listed at -410 (risk $410 to win $100) in the latest UFC 323 odds available via DraftKings Sportsbook. Yan, seeking to reclaim the bantamweight crown, stands as the underdog at +320.

Merab Dvalishvili, 34, steps into the Octagon on an impressive 14-bout winning streak, a testament to his relentless pressure and exceptional grappling prowess. The Georgian-born champion made history by becoming the first fighter from his nation to hold a UFC title, a feat he achieved with a unanimous decision victory over Sean O’Malley at UFC 306 in September 2024. Since then, Dvalishvili has showcased his dominance through a series of successful title defenses, including a unanimous decision win against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January and a submission victory over O’Malley in their rematch at UFC 316 in June. His most recent defense saw him defeat Cory Sandhagen by unanimous decision at UFC 320 on October 4, further solidifying his reign.

Dvalishvili’s professional record stands at an impressive 21-4, with three victories by knockout, two by submission, and sixteen by decision. His fighting style, characterized by an unrelenting pace and superior wrestling, has earned him two Performance of the Night and two Fight of the Night bonuses. He holds the distinction of having the most wins by decision in UFC history, alongside a record-setting 117 takedowns landed in the promotion. These statistics underscore his ability to control fights and dictate the terms of engagement, often overwhelming opponents with his ceaseless offensive output. His consistent high-level performances have also propelled him to the No. 3 spot in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.

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Across the Octagon stands Petr Yan, 32, a fighter with a storied career who is determined to reclaim his place atop the bantamweight division. Yan, a former UFC interim and undisputed bantamweight champion, brings a wealth of experience and elite striking to this championship clash. He is currently on a three-bout winning streak, having most recently secured a unanimous decision victory over Marcus McGhee at UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder on July 26, a win that propelled him back into title contention.

Yan’s career began in December 2014, and he quickly established himself as a force, joining the UFC in 2018 where he was recognized as the No. 5 Newcomer of the Year. His exceptional technical striking and defensive acumen saw him named a Top-10 Fighter of the Year in 2019. Throughout his career, Yan has earned three Fight of the Night and one Performance of the Night bonuses. He also holds a notable record, tied for the fourth-longest win streak in UFC bantamweight division history with seven consecutive victories, a streak that highlighted his initial ascent to the championship. Furthermore, he is tied for the third-most knockdowns in bantamweight history with 10. Currently ranked No. 3 in the UFC bantamweight rankings, Yan’s precise striking, powerful combinations, and solid takedown defense make him a dangerous opponent for any fighter in the division. The history between these two athletes, hinted at by the "Yan 2" designation, adds an additional layer of intrigue and personal stake to this championship encounter.

The co-main event of UFC 323 features another championship bout, as defending flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (-225 favorite) puts his title on the line against the surging challenger Joshua Van (+185 underdog). Pantoja, known for his aggressive style and submission prowess, has established himself as a dominant force in the flyweight division. Van, a rapidly rising contender, will look to cap off his impressive ascent with a monumental upset victory.

Beyond the two title fights, the UFC 323 main card presents several other compelling matchups. In the bantamweight division, former champion Brandon Moreno (+110) faces off against the highly touted Tatsuro Taira (-130) in a contest with significant title implications. Another intriguing bantamweight clash sees the legendary Henry Cejudo (+205) attempting to halt the momentum of promising prospect Payton Talbott (-250). Cejudo, a former two-division champion known as "Triple C," brings unparalleled experience, while Talbott represents the new wave of talent. The main card also features a light heavyweight showdown between former champion Jan Blachowicz (-110) and Bogdan Guskov (-110), a fight that could shake up the rankings in the 205-pound division.

For those looking for expert analysis and betting insights, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has provided comprehensive predictions for UFC 323. Vithlani has established himself as a consistent winner for SportsLine members, accumulating over $1,500 on his UFC main-card picks since his debut in January 2023 with a flawless 5-0 record for UFC 283. His track record includes accurately predicting significant upsets, such as Sean O’Malley’s (+210) victory over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292 as part of a 4-1 main card performance. 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 specific picks for UFC 323 is his backing of Chris Duncan (-108) to defeat Terrance McKinney (-112) in a lightweight preliminary card matchup. Vithlani noted his surprise at the close odds, stating, "The odds for this matchup surprised me, as I expected Duncan to be a much 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."

Analyzing McKinney, Vithlani added, "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." Vithlani’s detailed analysis extends to all main card bouts, including his predictions for the Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 championship fight, where he has identified a fighter he believes "is the most savvy grappler in the division" to secure a pivotal victory.

UFC 323 promises a night of high-stakes competition, with two championship belts on the line and a compelling lineup of fights across multiple divisions. The bantamweight rematch between Dvalishvili and Yan stands as the centerpiece, offering a clash of styles and a narrative of redemption for the former champion and continued dominance for the current titleholder. Fans can anticipate a night of intense action as the world’s premier mixed martial artists converge in Las Vegas.

UFC on Paramount+ begins on January 24, 2026. Interested viewers can sign up for Paramount+ with a free 7-day trial.

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