UFC 323 Showcases Bantamweight Title Rematch Between Champion Merab Dvalishvili and Petr Yan

Las Vegas, NV – The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) prepares for a pivotal night of mixed martial arts action this Saturday, December 6, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Headlining UFC 323 is a highly anticipated bantamweight championship bout, marking a significant rematch between current titleholder Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Petr Yan. The main card is scheduled to commence at 10 p.m. ET, following the early preliminary fights at 6 p.m. ET and the preliminary card at 8 p.m. ET.

The bantamweight championship rematch sees Merab Dvalishvili, widely recognized as "The Machine," enter the octagon as the betting favorite. DraftKings Sportsbook lists Dvalishvili at -410, requiring a $410 wager to yield a $100 profit. His opponent, Petr Yan, a formidable challenger and former divisional kingpin, is positioned as the underdog at +320. This indicates a potential return of $320 on a $100 bet if Yan secures the victory.

Main Event: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 – A Championship Rematch

Merab Dvalishvili (21-4) enters this championship defense on an impressive 14-bout winning streak, establishing himself as a dominant force in the bantamweight division. His journey to the title culminated in September 2024 at UFC 306, where he defeated Sean O’Malley by unanimous decision to claim the UFC bantamweight strap. Since then, Dvalishvili has successfully defended his title on three occasions, showcasing his grappling prowess and relentless pace. His first defense came against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January, followed by a submission victory over Sean O’Malley in June at UFC 316. Most recently, he defended the championship for a third consecutive time on October 4 at UFC 320, earning a unanimous decision win over Cory Sandhagen. Dvalishvili holds the distinction of being the first Georgian-born UFC champion.

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Beyond his championship accolades, Dvalishvili’s career statistics highlight his unique fighting style. In 25 professional matches, he has secured 16 victories by decision, alongside three knockouts and two submissions. He holds the UFC record for most wins by decision and leads all fighters in UFC history with an astonishing 117 takedowns landed, underscoring his control-oriented approach. Currently, he ranks No. 3 in the UFC’s men’s pound-for-pound rankings and has earned "Performance of the Night" and "Fight of the Night" bonuses twice each.

Petr Yan (record not explicitly stated, but implied strong by context) is set to challenge for the title, riding a three-fight winning streak. The 32-year-old Russian fighter is a former UFC bantamweight champion and one-time interim champion, known for his elite striking, technical precision, and iron will. Yan’s most recent victory was a unanimous decision over Marcus McGhee at UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder on July 26, which propelled him back into title contention. His professional career began in December 2014, and he quickly made an impact after joining the UFC in 2018, being recognized as the No. 5 Newcomer of the Year. In 2019, he was named a Top-10 Fighter of the Year.

Yan’s record includes three "Fight of the Night" bonuses and one "Performance of the Night" award. Historically, he is tied for the fourth-longest winning streak in UFC bantamweight division history with seven consecutive victories during his initial ascent. He is also tied for the third-most knockdowns in bantamweight history with 10, demonstrating his significant striking power. Yan is currently ranked No. 3 in the UFC bantamweight rankings, setting the stage for a high-stakes encounter against Dvalishvili. Their previous meeting in March 2023 saw Dvalishvili emerge victorious by unanimous decision in a non-title bout. This rematch presents Yan with an opportunity to reclaim championship status and avenge his prior loss.

Co-Main Event: Pantoja vs. Van for the Flyweight Championship

The co-main event at UFC 323 features another championship clash, as reigning flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defends his title against challenger Joshua Van. Pantoja enters the contest as the favorite at -225, while Van is listed as the underdog at +185.

Alexandre Pantoja, the Brazilian champion, has cemented his status as one of the most exciting fighters in the flyweight division. Known for his aggressive striking and submission grappling, Pantoja has consistently delivered high-level performances. His journey to the title and subsequent defenses have showcased his well-rounded skillset and ability to finish fights.

Joshua Van, a rapidly rising contender, has quickly made a name for himself in the UFC’s flyweight ranks. His ascent through the division has been marked by impressive victories and a dynamic fighting style that has captured the attention of fans and analysts alike. This championship opportunity represents the biggest test of Van’s career, as he looks to dethrone the established champion.

Further Main Card Highlights and Betting Opportunities

Beyond the two championship bouts, UFC 323 features several other compelling matchups on the main card that carry significant implications for their respective divisions:

Brandon Moreno (+110) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-130): This flyweight encounter pits former champion Brandon Moreno against the undefeated rising prospect Tatsuro Taira. Moreno, known for his tenacity and fan-friendly style, looks to rebound and reassert his position at the top of the division. Taira, meanwhile, aims to continue his flawless professional record and establish himself as a legitimate title contender.
Henry Cejudo (+205) vs. Payton Talbott (-250): A bantamweight clash featuring Olympic gold medalist and former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo, who faces the highly touted prospect Payton Talbott. Cejudo, a veteran with an impressive resume, seeks to demonstrate his enduring elite status. Talbott, on the other hand, presents a significant challenge, entering as a notable favorite and looking to add a marquee name to his undefeated record.
Jan Blachowicz (-110) vs. Bogdan Guskov (-110): This light heavyweight bout is currently a pick’em, with both Jan Blachowicz, a former light heavyweight champion, and Bogdan Guskov holding even odds. Blachowicz, known for his "Polish Power" and veteran experience, aims to climb back into title contention. Guskov, a dangerous finisher, seeks to upset the former champion and make a statement in the division.

Expert Betting Insights from Daniel Vithlani

For those looking to navigate the betting landscape of UFC 323, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has provided detailed analysis and picks. Vithlani, a highly analytical UFC bettor, has maintained a consistent winning record for SportsLine members since his debut in January 2023, boasting a 5-0 record for UFC 283. His insights have resulted in over $1,500 in profits on his UFC main-card picks.

Vithlani’s track record includes successfully predicting the upset victory of Sean O’Malley (+210) against Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, contributing to a 4-1 main card. At UFC 299, he identified underdog selections for Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130), both of which proved successful.

One of Vithlani’s specific picks for UFC 323 is backing Chris Duncan (-108) to defeat Terrance McKinney (-112) in a lightweight preliminary card matchup. "The odds for this matchup surprised me, as I expected Duncan to be a much wider favorite," Vithlani stated to SportsLine. "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."

Vithlani has also provided strong picks for the Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 main event and other key bouts across the UFC 323 card. He is notably backing a fighter he describes as "the most savvy grappler in the division" to secure a significant victory. These expert insights, including detailed picks and analysis, are available to SportsLine subscribers.

UFC 323 is poised to deliver a night of high-stakes competition, featuring two championship battles and a lineup of compelling matchups that will shape the landscape of multiple divisions.