Ali Akbar Rosady
Las Vegas, NV – The bantamweight division’s apex will be contested on Saturday, December 6, as reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili faces off against former titleholder Petr Yan in a highly anticipated rematch at UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2. The championship bout headlines a stacked card from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, with the main card commencing at 10 p.m. ET. Early preliminary fights are slated to begin at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the preliminary card at 8 p.m. ET.
Dvalishvili enters the contest as a significant favorite, with DraftKings Sportsbook listing him at -410, requiring a $410 wager to win $100. Yan, looking to reclaim the gold, is positioned as the underdog at +320. This main event marks a pivotal moment for both fighters, with Dvalishvili aiming to extend his dominant reign and Yan seeking to avenge a past loss and return to the division’s summit.
The Champion’s Dominance: Merab Dvalishvili
Merab "The Machine" Dvalishvili, 34, has established himself as a formidable force in the bantamweight division, arriving at UFC 323 on an impressive 14-bout winning streak. His journey to the top culminated in September 2024 at UFC 306, where he captured the UFC bantamweight title with a unanimous decision victory over Sean O’Malley. Since then, the Georgian-born champion has been relentlessly active, successfully defending his title on three occasions.
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His first defense came in January against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311, securing another unanimous decision win. He then faced Sean O’Malley for a second time at UFC 316 in June, this time submitting his opponent. Most recently, Dvalishvili defended his bantamweight title for a record third consecutive time with a unanimous decision win over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320 on October 4. His consistent performances and ability to overcome top contenders underscore his current standing as the No. 3 ranked fighter in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings.
Dvalishvili’s professional record stands at 21-4, showcasing a versatile skillset with three wins by knockout, two by submission, and an impressive 16 by decision. His fighting style is characterized by relentless pressure, unparalleled cardio, and a grappling pedigree that has rewritten UFC records. He holds the distinction for the most wins by decision in UFC history, a testament to his ability to control fights over extended periods. Furthermore, Dvalishvili leads the UFC in takedowns landed, with an astounding 117, highlighting his suffocating wrestling game. His aggressive approach has also earned him two Performance of the Night and two Fight of the Night awards, demonstrating his capacity for exciting, high-level encounters.
The Challenger’s Resurgence: Petr Yan
Petr "No Mercy" Yan, 32, enters this title rematch with renewed momentum, having strung together three consecutive victories. His most recent win was a unanimous decision over Marcus McGhee at UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder on July 26, signaling his clear intent to reclaim bantamweight supremacy. Yan is no stranger to championship gold, having previously held both the interim and undisputed UFC bantamweight titles.
A decorated striker, Yan has compiled a professional record marked by technical precision and devastating power. His early career saw him establish an 8-1 record before joining the UFC in 2018, where he was recognized as the No. 5 Newcomer of the Year. By 2019, he had cemented his status as a Top-10 Fighter of the Year. His tenure in the UFC has been highlighted by a seven-fight win streak, which is tied for the fourth-longest in the bantamweight division’s history. Yan is also tied for the third-most knockdowns in bantamweight history with 10, underscoring his striking efficacy. His dynamic performances have earned him three Fight of the Night and one Performance of the Night bonuses. Currently, Yan is ranked No. 3 in the UFC bantamweight rankings, setting the stage for a compelling clash of styles against Dvalishvili.
The previous encounter between Dvalishvili and Yan, while not for a title, saw Dvalishvili emerge victorious via unanimous decision. This rematch presents Yan with an opportunity to demonstrate adjustments and strategy to overcome Dvalishvili’s relentless grappling, while Dvalishvili will aim to prove his evolution as champion and solidify his claim as the division’s undisputed king.
Co-Main Event and Key Main Card Bouts
UFC 323 features another championship bout in the co-main event, where Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight title against challenger Joshua Van. Pantoja, known for his aggressive style and submission prowess, is listed as a -225 favorite, while Van stands as the +185 underdog, looking to pull off an upset.
The main card is further bolstered by several high-stakes matchups:
- Brandon Moreno (+110) vs. Tatsuro Taira (-130): A pivotal bantamweight clash featuring former flyweight champion Brandon Moreno, who looks to reassert his dominance, against the undefeated and highly touted prospect Tatsuro Taira, a rising star with significant momentum.
- Henry Cejudo (+205) vs. Payton Talbott (-250): The legendary "Triple C," Henry Cejudo, an Olympic gold medalist and former two-division UFC champion, makes his return as an underdog against the surging prospect Payton Talbott. This bantamweight bout pits experience against youthful aggression.
- Jan Blachowicz (-110) vs. Bogdan Guskov (-110): A closely matched light heavyweight contest features former champion Jan Blachowicz, known for his "Polish Power," against Bogdan Guskov. The even odds reflect the competitive nature of this matchup, with both fighters looking to climb the divisional ladder.
Expert Predictions and Betting Insights
For those seeking informed betting decisions, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has released his detailed picks and analysis for UFC 323. 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. He has accumulated over $1,500 in profits on his UFC main-card sports betting picks.
Vithlani’s track record includes accurately predicting significant upsets, such as Sean O’Malley (+210) over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, as part of a 4-1 main card performance. His successful calls at UFC 299 included underdog selections on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130).
Among his preliminary card predictions for UFC 323, Vithlani 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 told SportsLine. He elaborated on Duncan’s strengths, citing his three-fight win streak, 5-1 UFC record, solid kickboxing, lethal chokeholds, and notable durability. "Duncan fights with a hard-nosed style and refuses to be denied even when the fight isn’t going his way," Vithlani added.
Regarding McKinney, Vithlani acknowledged his opponent’s explosiveness: "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." Despite McKinney’s dangerous flying knees and rear-naked chokes, Vithlani believes Duncan’s "mentality and physicality will give him the edge," suggesting that "If Duncan lands a heavy counterpunch in traffic, McKinney might not stand back up."
Vithlani has also hinted at another strong pick for the card, backing a fighter he describes as "the most savvy grappler in the division" to secure a decisive victory. His complete breakdown and all his top betting picks for Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 and the entire UFC 323 card are available exclusively at SportsLine.
For new users interested in engaging with the event, various promotional offers are available from leading sportsbooks. The DraftKings promo code offers $200 in bonus bets if a user’s initial bet wins. Similarly, the Underdog promo code provides $100 in site credits when playing $5 with the code CBSSPORTS2 in select states. Furthermore, the FanDuel promo code allows new users to receive $150 in bonus bets instantly at FanDuel if their initial $5 bet wins.
Looking ahead, fight fans should note that UFC content will begin streaming on Paramount+ starting January 24, 2026. A free 7-day trial for Paramount+ is currently available.
The stage is set for UFC 323, promising an evening of high-stakes action, pivotal matchups, and a bantamweight championship showdown that could define the trajectory of the division.
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