The octagon would get back to the neon light of T-Mobile Arena today to host UFC 323, which is a blockbuster pay-per-view event that is likely to end an exciting year in mixed martial arts. With the promotion leaving its ESPN+ streaming deal behind to get Paramount in 2026, everyone is focusing on two championship matchups that would transform divisions.
The bantamweight topper Merab Dvalishvili defends his crown against a previous champion Petr Yan in a hot rematch, with the flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja against rising star Joshua Van co-main. As prelims are already underway and the main card is about to detonate at 10 p.m. ET, the level of anticipation is more of a fever-pitch following intense weigh-ins and staredowns in the previous day.
Main Event: Dvalishvili Chases History vs. Precision Striking by Yan.
Merab Dvalishvili, the ruthless Georgian wrestler called The Machine, arrives in this match on a truly mind-boggling 14-match winning streak, including four title matches in 2025 alone. Dvalishvili is now 34 years old and has a record of 21-4 and has changed the 135-pound game by sheer volume and cardio superiority.
On his way to the belt was a contentious split decision win over Yan at the first meeting between the two fighters, two years before it was tainted by eye pokes and a questionable judging ruling. Dvalishvili wants to make his name in the history of the UFC and stave off critics by the year’s end by being the only man to win four consecutive bantamweight titles.
Against him, there is Petr Yan, the 32-year-old Russian southpaw, having a 19-5 record and a reputation of being a surgical striker. Yan, the former champion, 2020-21, returned to contender status in the first half of this year by knocking out his opponent two times. His 5.12 high hits per minute and 60% hit percentage are a nightmare to wrestlers such as Dvalishvili.
If not excuses this time around, Yan declared at the presser, looking across the dais with a piercing stare. Initial betting shows a -180 bet in favour of Dvalishvil, but the +150 Underdog label on Yan indicates the thin margin. Analysts project a height of five-round war, and chains of takedowns by Dvalishvili will go up against check hooks by Yan in what may be a Fight of the Year candidate.
Co-Main Clash: Grappling Empire of Pantoja vs. Knockout Threat of Van
In the second main event of the night, Alexandre Pantoja will challenge for his flyweight title against Joshua Van, who is a 28-year-old sensation with a four-fight winning streak. Despite the 30-5 overall and 12-3 record in the UFC, Pantoja has been on top of the world since he subdued Brandon Moreno last summer.
The elite of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, with seven submission wins, has crushed grapplers and strikers, but Van poses an enigma. The Australian has explosive power with 15 knockouts in 18 wins, and this might make the match short in case Pantoja opens the feet to the Australian.
Van, having an 18-2 record, won this opportunity through a highlight-reel head-kick finish over Manel Kape in September. He is 5’5″ and 66 inches with a reach of 56 inches, which is equivalent to Pantoja but has heavier hands.
Strauss, I’m here to shock the world, Van said, and flexed himself at the faceoff. The odds are stacked against the champion (-220), but +170 by Van is an attractive offer to the risk-takers. Allow it to be a mixture of scramble and stand-up fireworks when Pantoja puts Van to the unproven test of a championship.
Undercard Buzz: Moreno Returns, Talbott Eyes Stardom
The 13-fight contest is full of intrigue. Strong 23-8-2 flyweight champion Brandon Moreno (23-8-2) is back to face Kai Kara-France in an important 125-pound fight to avenge a 2023 loss.
Lightweight prospect Payton Talbott, who is 9-0, challenges Brazilian Raul Rosas Jr., who has a record of 9-0. The action in the heavyweight division picks up with Derrick Lewis vs Marcin Tybura, where the one-punch KO of Lewis may take the stage.
Early signs of an upset have already been seen: women and middleweight both witnessed a unanimous decision upset and a flying knee finish, respectively. Early weigh-ins ensured that all fighters had weighed in, and this prepared the groundwork for chaos.
Greater MMA Scene: ONE Produces Fireworks, UFC 325 Becks
On the other side of the Pacific, One Fight Night 38 lit up Lumpinee Stadium last night with mastery of Muay Thai. Aliff Sor Dechapan conquered Ramadan Ondash through unanimous decision, which earned him a strawweight title challenge with Prajanchai PK Saenchai. Phetjeeja Or. Meekun scored a beautiful elbow knockout, and Jacob Smith-Giles dropped his opponent to the ground with a rear-naked choke, which was the climax of a highlight-film night.
In the future, UFC declared the featherweight title defence of Alexander Volkanovski against Diego Lopes on UFC 325 on January 31 in Sydney. The second fight is a rematch of the decision by Volkanovski in April, which sparked controversy on the ranking of the contenders. Flyweight fireworks carry on through December 13 with Brandon Royval vs. Manel Kape at the UFC Fight Night.
UFC 323 is not a sendoff – it is a statement. In a sport that is developing at a more rapid rate, these warriors of today are reminding us as to why MMA is so appealing: unbreakable wills, decision-making at a single second, and the barehanded quest for greatness. Watch ESPN+ PPV, and this might turn out to be the night of 2025.
