Petr Yan was unable to replicate what another of Merab Dvalishvili’s opponents did the first time they met. In 2023, Dvalishvili attempted a staggering 49 takedowns when beating Petr Yan at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas over five rounds.
Merab Dvalishvili has admitted that there are two UFC champions that he would never be able to get the better of if they were to fight. After losing his first two octagon outings, the Georgian has looked unbeatable on his run to the top of the bantamweight division.
UFC 323 promises an action-packed night from start to finish. And one matchup drawing major attention is the light heavyweight clash between Jan Blachowicz and Bogdan Guskov.
Before Dana White locked in the UFC 324 main event, Ilia Topuria stood as the clear frontrunner to headline the card. However, there wasn’t any real green light from the promotion about ‘El Matador’ becoming the star to kickstart their Paramount+ journey.
The UFC is currently undergoing some big changes ahead of a huge year in 2026. Dana White is bringing back the seasonal press conference format later today to build excitement around the promotion’s run of events that will begin in the new year.
The last pay-per-view of the year, and of the foreseeable future due to the UFC deal with Paramount, is this week and has some amazing fights. Here are predictions for how the main card of UFC 323 will go.
Conor McGregor has begun training for his return to the UFC in 2026, which is likely take place at the White House, although he is uncertain if Michael Chandler will be his opponent.
Eddie Alvarez sees an obvious hole for Paddy Pimblett to exploit. The lightweight contender is preparing for his first UFC title shot, having been awarded a controversial opportunity to kick off the promotion’s calendar for 2026.
On this day five years ago, an incredibly rare knockout was produced at the UFC Apex. Paddy Pimblett is confident that the judges won’t be needed for his upcoming return at UFC 324 on January 24.
One illegal eye poke at UFC 321 didn’t just stop a title fight; it ignited a firestorm that dragged the UFC president, an injured champion, and a former titleholder into a public war of words.
Check out the Marvin Vettori vs. Brunno Ferreira prediction for UFC 323 on Saturday, December 6, along with my betting preview and breakdown. Former middleweight title challenger Marvin Vettori is now fighting for his spot in the UFC rankings, as he takes on the unranked but fast-rising Brunno Ferreira.
Joshua Van is set to face Alexandre Pantoja in the co-main event of UFC 323, a matchup he sees as a showdown with the division’s GOAT. Van made his mark in June by defeating Brandon Royval at UFC 317.
Merab Dvalishvili is eyeing new opponents for 2026. ‘The Machine’ will break new ground at UFC 323 this Saturday, becoming the first champion to defend his title four times within a single calendar year.
Conor McGregor has begun to prepare for his UFC comeback at the White House next year, but isn’t sure if a Michael Chandler fight is still on. The duo have been officially matched since they agreed to coach opposite each other on The Ultimate Fighter back in 2023.
Cris Cyborg sees one key advantage for the reigning UFC women’s bantamweight champion. The Brazilian legend will have a vested interest in the UFC 324 co-main event, as two women whom she has some history with collide on the promotion’s debut card on Paramount+.
Arman Tsarukyan continues to stay sharp while Dana White and the UFC matchmakers play games around him. With gold on his mind, the UFC’s top lightweight contender stepped into the Octagon last month in Qatar, not only winning his fight but finishing Dan Hooker in the second round.
A bantamweight championship rematch headlines the UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs. Yan 2 fight card. Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili takes on former titleholder Petr Yan in the event's marquee match. The two first fought at UFC Fight Night 221 in March 2023.
Former UFC Bantamweight Champion Sean O’Malley has questioned Dana White’s enthusiasm, noting a lack of excitement when announcing the promotion’s first two major pay-per-view events for 2026.
UFC 323: Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan 2 continues on the main card with a fight between Brandon Moreno and Tatsuro Taira in the flyweight division on Saturday.
The civil lawsuit filed against MMA fighter Conor McGregor for an alleged sexual assault at a 2023 NBA Finals game in Miami has been dropped. The anonymous complainant voluntary filed for dismissal of the suit earlier this week in U.S.
Natalia Silva has her next fight – but alas, it is not for the title. On Wednesday, the streaking flyweight contender was announced to be replacing Alexa Grasso against Rose Namajunas at UFC 324.