UFC Set to Conclude 2024 Season with Bantamweight and Flyweight Title Showdowns, Pioneering New Broadcast Era on Paramount+ in 2025

The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) is preparing to close its 2024 calendar with two significant fight cards in December, culminating a year of high-stakes matchups and setting the stage for a transformative broadcast partnership with Paramount+ beginning in 2025. These final events will feature championship bouts and pivotal contender clashes, underscoring the organization’s strategic momentum as it transitions away from its traditional pay-per-view (PPV) model.

The penultimate event, UFC 323, is scheduled for Friday, December 6, originating from Las Vegas, Nevada. This card is headlined by a highly anticipated bantamweight championship rematch between reigning titleholder Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Petr Yan. The co-main event will feature flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja defending his belt against the rapidly ascending Joshua Van. A week later, on Friday, December 13, the final UFC Fight Night of the year will also take place in Las Vegas, headlined by a compelling flyweight contest between Brandon Royval and Manel Kape.

UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 – A Historic Title Defense Looms

The main event of UFC 323 carries significant historical weight, with Merab Dvalishvili (18-4 MMA, 11-2 UFC) poised to potentially etch his name into the UFC record books. Should Dvalishvili successfully defend his bantamweight championship against Petr Yan (17-6 MMA, 9-5 UFC) for a second time, he would achieve the remarkable feat of making four successful title defenses within a single calendar year. This level of activity and consistent championship performance is exceedingly rare in the modern era of mixed martial arts, often drawing comparisons to the active reigns of past legends such as Demetrious Johnson or Georges St-Pierre in their prime.

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Dvalishvili, known as "The Machine" for his relentless pace and dominant grappling, enters this bout on the heels of a quick turnaround. His most recent defense occurred in October, where he secured a unanimous decision victory over top contender Cory Sandhagen. That performance showcased Dvalishvili’s trademark style, as he systematically controlled Sandhagen through superior wrestling and conditioning, nullifying his opponent’s striking threats. The victory extended Dvalishvili’s impressive winning streak to 10 consecutive fights, establishing him as one of the most dominant champions in the sport.

His opponent, Petr Yan, represents a formidable challenge and a chance for redemption. The former undisputed bantamweight champion faced Dvalishvili previously, a bout that culminated in Yan’s third consecutive loss at the time. That period marked a challenging phase for "No Mercy," following a controversial disqualification loss to Aljamain Sterling, a split-decision defeat to Sean O’Malley, and then the unanimous decision loss to Dvalishvili. However, Yan has since demonstrated resilience and a return to form, stringing together three consecutive victories against a strong slate of contenders. These wins have propelled him back into title contention, reaffirming his elite striking pedigree and tactical acumen.

Yan has openly attributed his performance in their first encounter to an undisclosed injury, specifically a compromised right hand, which he claims significantly impacted his ability to execute his game plan. This narrative adds an additional layer of intrigue to the rematch, as Yan will undoubtedly be motivated to prove that a fully healthy version of himself can reclaim the championship. Despite his recent resurgence, Yan is currently positioned as a significant underdog in betting markets, a testament to Dvalishvili’s sustained dominance and the comprehensive nature of their initial fight. The outcome will not only determine the immediate future of the bantamweight division but also Dvalishvili’s legacy and Yan’s potential return to the pinnacle of the sport. The main event is scheduled for broadcast exclusively on ESPN+ PPV.

Co-Main Event: Pantoja vs. Van – Flyweight Gold on the Line

The co-main event of UFC 323 features another championship bout, with UFC flyweight king Alexandre Pantoja (29-5 MMA, 13-3 UFC) defending his title against the explosive Joshua Van (12-1 MMA, 5-0 UFC). Pantoja, often referred to as "The Cannibal," has solidified his position as one of the most exciting and formidable champions in the UFC. Since capturing the title from Brandon Moreno in a thrilling contest, Pantoja has successfully defended his belt against top contenders like Brandon Royval and Steve Erceg, further cementing his case as potentially the second-greatest flyweight champion in UFC history, trailing only the legendary Demetrious Johnson. Pantoja’s fighting style is characterized by aggressive striking, relentless grappling, and an unyielding will, making him a difficult puzzle for any challenger.

His opponent, Joshua Van, has emerged as a red-hot contender through an exceptionally active and successful run within the organization. Van’s ascent has been meteoric, and his appearance at UFC 323 marks his fourth fight in just nine months, and an astounding eighth professional bout since the beginning of 2024. This level of activity is virtually unprecedented in the contemporary UFC landscape, showcasing Van’s eagerness to compete and his rapid development as a fighter. His recent victory over Brandon Royval, a "Fight of the Night" performance, propelled him into title contention, demonstrating his striking power, durability, and ability to thrive under pressure. The clash between Pantoja’s seasoned championship experience and Van’s youthful aggression and momentum promises a high-octane encounter for the flyweight title.

UFC Fight Night: Royval vs. Kape – Flyweight Contenders Vie for Position

The final UFC event of 2024, a Fight Night card on December 13, will feature a highly anticipated flyweight main event between Brandon Royval (16-7 MMA, 6-5 UFC) and Manel Kape (19-6 MMA, 4-2 UFC). Both fighters are positioned within the top echelons of the division and are seeking to solidify their claims for a future title shot. The event will be broadcast on ESPN+.

Brandon Royval, known for his aggressive and often chaotic fighting style, will be looking to bounce back from his "Fight of the Night" loss to Joshua Van. That bout, a back-and-forth affair, underscored Royval’s willingness to engage in thrilling exchanges but also highlighted areas for strategic refinement. Having previously challenged for the flyweight title against Alexandre Pantoja, Royval understands the stakes of remaining competitive within the division’s top five.

He faces Manel Kape, a surging contender who has steadily built significant momentum within the flyweight ranks. Kape, "Starboy," possesses dynamic striking and an unpredictable style that has earned him a reputation as a dangerous opponent for anyone in the division. The matchup between Royval and Kape has a history of anticipation, as the two were previously scheduled to fight twice earlier in 2024. On both occasions, unforeseen circumstances led to a cancellation, with each fighter pulling out once. This prior history adds an extra layer of narrative to their finally realized encounter, as both athletes will be eager to settle their rivalry and advance their championship aspirations. The winner will undoubtedly position themselves as a strong candidate for a future title eliminator or championship opportunity in 2025.

UFC’s Landmark Media Rights Agreement with Paramount+: A New Era

Beyond the immediate competition, these final 2024 events serve as a significant prelude to a major organizational shift set to occur in the new year. The UFC and Paramount+ have announced a landmark media rights agreement that will fundamentally alter how fans access UFC content. This exclusive partnership is poised to "nix the PPV model," meaning that beginning in 2025, all UFC events, including those that were traditionally pay-per-view cards, will be available to subscribers as part of their Paramount+ subscription.

This strategic move represents a significant departure from the UFC’s long-standing PPV revenue model, which has been a cornerstone of its financial success for decades. For fans, the transition promises a streamlined and potentially more accessible viewing experience, eliminating the need for separate PPV purchases for major events like UFC 323. The agreement signifies Paramount+’s substantial investment in live sports content and its commitment to expanding its subscriber base through premium offerings.

From the UFC’s perspective, this partnership aims to broaden its reach, potentially attracting new audiences who may have been deterred by the cost of individual PPV events. The move is also expected to provide the organization with a stable and substantial revenue stream through the exclusive broadcast deal. This transition reflects a broader trend in sports media, where major leagues and promotions are increasingly consolidating their content onto exclusive streaming platforms to capitalize on evolving consumer habits. The full implications of this shift for fighter pay, event promotion, and global viewership will unfold throughout 2025 and beyond.

As the UFC closes out 2024 with these compelling matchups, the organization simultaneously opens a new chapter in its operational and broadcast strategy. The upcoming events not only promise high-level athletic competition but also represent a bridge to an entirely new era of accessibility and distribution for the world’s premier mixed martial arts promotion. Fans are encouraged to monitor official UFC channels and SportsBreakNews.com for forthcoming announcements regarding the complete 2025 fight schedule and further details on the Paramount+ partnership.