UFC 323 Readies for Bantamweight Championship Rematch: Dvalishvili Defends Against Yan in Las Vegas

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) prepares to ignite the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas this Saturday with UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2, featuring a highly anticipated bantamweight championship rematch. Champion Merab Dvalishvili is slated to defend his title against former interim titleholder Petr Yan in the main event.

Dvalishvili, entering the bout on a formidable 14-fight winning streak, will make his fourth defense of the bantamweight championship. His most recent outing at UFC 320 on October 4 saw him successfully retain the title with a unanimous decision victory over Cory Sandhagen. The 34-year-old Georgian previously captured the bantamweight crown by defeating Sean O’Malley via unanimous decision at UFC 306 in September 2024. He then went on to defend it against Umar Nurmagomedov at UFC 311 in January, also by unanimous decision, and notably secured a submission win over O’Malley in a rematch at UFC 316 in June. Dvalishvili holds the distinction of being the first Georgian-born champion in UFC history. His professional record stands at an impressive 21 wins and 4 losses, including three knockouts, two submissions, and sixteen decisions. A two-time recipient of both Performance of the Night and Fight of the Night honors, Dvalishvili is renowned for his relentless pressure, exceptional cardio, and record-setting grappling. He holds the UFC record for most wins by decision and most takedowns landed in UFC history, with a staggering 117. He is currently ranked No. 3 in the UFC men’s pound-for-pound rankings, a testament to his dominance in the bantamweight division.

Challenging for the title is Petr Yan, the 32-year-old Russian contender, who arrives with a three-bout winning streak. Yan, a former UFC interim bantamweight champion and undisputed bantamweight champion, aims to reclaim the undisputed gold. His last performance saw him secure a unanimous decision victory over Marcus McGhee at UFC on ABC: Whittaker vs. de Ridder on July 26. Yan has also earned three Fight of the Night bonuses and one Performance of the Night award during his illustrious career. 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. Yan commenced his professional career in December 2014, compiling an 8-1 record before joining the UFC in 2018, where he was recognized as the No. 5 Newcomer of the Year. In 2019, he was named a Top-10 Fighter of the Year. He currently holds the No. 3 spot in the UFC bantamweight rankings. This bout marks their second encounter, with Dvalishvili having previously defeated Yan via unanimous decision in their initial meeting at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili in March 2023. That contest saw Dvalishvili’s relentless grappling and pace overwhelm Yan, who struggled to mount consistent offense against "The Machine’s" suffocating pressure. This rematch offers Yan a crucial opportunity for redemption and a chance to reclaim the championship.

The main card is scheduled to commence at 10 p.m. ET, following the preliminary card at 8 p.m. ET and the early preliminaries kicking off at 6 p.m. ET. All the action unfolds live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

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Betting Landscape and Expert Analysis

Current odds from DraftKings Sportsbook position Merab Dvalishvili as a significant favorite at -410, requiring a $410 wager to yield a $100 profit. Petr Yan, conversely, stands as the underdog at +320, meaning a $100 bet would return $320 if he emerges victorious. These odds reflect Dvalishvili’s dominant performance in their first encounter and his impressive championship reign, highlighting the challenge Yan faces in this rematch.

For those seeking informed perspectives on the night’s matchups, SportsLine expert Daniel Vithlani has released his comprehensive MMA predictions and betting advice for UFC 323. Vithlani, a highly analytical UFC bettor, has established a consistent winning record for SportsLine members since his debut in January 2023, notably starting with a perfect 5-0 record for UFC 283. His main-card sports betting picks have yielded over $1,500 in profit. Among his notable calls are predicting Sean O’Malley’s upset victory (+210) over Aljamain Sterling (-250) at UFC 292, contributing to a 4-1 main card. At UFC 299, Vithlani successfully picked underdog selections on Dustin Poirier (+190) against Benoit Saint Denis (-230) and Michael Page (+110) against Kevin Holland (-130).

Vithlani’s detailed breakdown extends beyond the main event. For a lightweight matchup on the preliminary card, he has backed Chris Duncan (-108) to defeat Terrance McKinney (-112). "The odds for this matchup surprised me, as I expected Duncan to be a much wider favorite," Vithlani stated. He elaborated on Duncan’s impressive form, noting his three-fight win streak and 5-1 record within 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 acknowledged his opponent’s dangerous finishing ability: "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 threat from flying knees and rear-naked chokes, Vithlani expressed confidence in Duncan: "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 extensive analysis for UFC 323 includes picks for the Dvalishvili vs. Yan rematch and other key bouts, including a prediction for a fighter he identifies as "the most savvy grappler in the division" to secure a significant victory.

Co-Main Event and Undercard Highlights

Beyond the bantamweight championship, UFC 323 features a compelling co-main event and several other high-stakes matchups across various divisions.

The co-main event will see another championship bout as defending flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja (-225) takes on challenger Joshua Van (+185). Pantoja, known for his aggressive, high-pressure style and dangerous submission game, has established himself as a formidable force in the flyweight division. Van, a rising contender, will look to capitalize on his striking prowess and seize the opportunity to dethrone the champion.

The main card also features a pivotal flyweight clash between former champion Brandon Moreno (+110) and the undefeated Tatsuro Taira (-130). Moreno, a fan favorite known for his well-rounded skills and exciting fights, will face a stiff challenge from Taira, a grappling specialist who has quickly ascended the ranks.

Another intriguing bantamweight encounter pits former two-division champion Henry Cejudo (+205) against the promising Payton Talbott (-250). Cejudo, an Olympic gold medalist in wrestling and former flyweight and bantamweight champion, seeks to reassert his veteran dominance against Talbott, an explosive striker with significant potential.

The light heavyweight division will also be represented by a closely contested bout between former champion Jan Blachowicz (-110) and Bogdan Guskov (-110). Blachowicz, celebrated for his "Polish Power" and knockout capabilities, will meet Guskov, who also favors a striking-heavy approach, making this a potentially explosive encounter with evenly matched odds.

UFC 323 promises a night of high-octane mixed martial arts action, with championship gold on the line and pivotal matchups across the card. As fight night approaches, all eyes will be on Las Vegas for what is expected to be a memorable evening of combat sports.

Note: UFC on Paramount+ is scheduled to begin on January 24, 2026.