The UFC returns to Las Vegas this weekend with UFC 323, an exciting card headlined by two title fights and several high-stakes matchups that could shake up multiple divisions.
In the main event, Merab Dvalishvili isn’t just defending his bantamweight strap – he’s chasing history with what would be a fourth title defence in a single year, a feat no UFC champ has ever pulled off.
Standing in his way is fiery former champion Petr Yan – desperate to reclaim the belt that he once possessed.
UFC 323: Dvalishvili vs Yan | SUN 7 DEC 2PM AEDT | Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will look to make history and become the first fighter to defend a championship for a fourth time in a year when he takes on former champ Petr Yan in Las Vegas. Plus Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van | Order Now with Main Event on Kayo Sports.
The co-main event sees flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja put his belt on the line against 23-year-old phenom Joshua Van, a rising star who is chasing a spot among the youngest champions in UFC history.
Pantoja has battled through some brutal title fights, but Van’s pace, power and confidence have made him one of the stand-out fighters in 2025. An upset from the youngster would signal a proper passing of the torch in a division ruled by veterans.
HOW WILL THE MAIN EVENT PLAY OUT?
Dvalishvili will try to drag the Russian straight into the deep end. Lots of takedowns, lots of scrambles. If he can smother Yan early and keep him guessing, the champ knows he can break opponents with his incredible cardio. It will probably be messy.
Yan’s plan is to make Merab pay for every step forward he takes. He’ll look to beat Dvalishvili to the angles, stuff his takedown attempts and let his hands go.
If Yan can maintain space, his counterpunching becomes a real problem.
WHY IS DVALISHVILI SEEMINGLY SO UNSTOPPABLE?
Merab is proof that consistency beats flair most of the time. No knockout theatrics, no signature moves – just pressure, wrestling, and insane cardio. In the Octagon, he’s less fighter, more relentless swarm of bees.
However, the champ told Fox Sports Australia this week that he’s aiming to do something this weekend that nobody has managed before – finish Yan.
HOW TO WATCH
Aussie fight fans can catch all the action for UFC 323 LIVE on Main Event via Kayo.
Main Event on Kayo Sports and Foxtel is the exclusive home of UFC Pay-Per-View.
WHEN IS IT?
UFC 323 takes place on Sunday 7 December at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
START TIME (ALL TIMES AEDT)
The action gets underway early on Sunday morning with the early prelims commencing at 10am (AEDT)
The prelims will follow from 12pm before the main card at 2pm.
FULL UFC 323 CARD
Main Card:
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan; For bantamweight title
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van; For flyweight title
Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira; Flyweight
Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott; Lightweight
Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov; Light Heavyweight
Prelims:
Grant Dawson vs. Manuel Torres; Lightweight
Chris Duncan vs. Terrance McKinney; Lightweight
Maycee Barber vs. Karine Silva; Women’s flyweight
Nazim Sadykhov vs. Fares Ziam; Lightweight
Early Prelims:
Marvin Vettori vs. Brunno Ferreira; Middleweight
Edson Barboza vs. Jalin Turner; Lightweight
Ibo Aslan vs. Iwo Baraniewski; Light Heavyweight
Mansur Abdul-Malik vs. Antonio Trocoli; Middleweight
Muhammad Naimov vs. Mairon Santos; Featherweight
BETTING ODDS (via TAB)
Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan
Merab Dvalishvili $1.24 to win, $11.00 to win via KO/TKO, $1.50 via decision, $9.00 via submission
Petr Yan $4.25 to win, $10.00 to win via KO/TKO, $7.00 via decision, $34.00 via submission
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van
Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van
Pantoja $1.42 to win, $9.00 to win via KO/TKO, $4.00 via decision, $2.40 via submission
Van $2.85 to win, $5.50 to win via KO/TKO, $6.00 via decision, $34.00 via submission
Brandon Moreno vs. Tatsuro Taira
Moreno $2.00 to win, $10.00 to win via KO/TKO, $2.75 via decision, $13.00 via submission
Taira $1.80 to win, $13.00 to win via KO/TKO, $2.40 via decision, $6.00 via submission
Henry Cejudo vs. Payton Talbott
Cejudo $3.00 to win, $9.00 to win via KO/TKO, $4.25 via decision, $19.00 via submission
Talbott $1.40 to win, $3.75 via KO/TKO, $2.10 via decision, $34.00 via submission
‘He didn’t respect me’ | 02:01
Jan Blachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov
Blachowicz $1.77 to win, $3.25 to win by KO/TKO, $7.00 via decision, $17.00 via submission
Guskov $2.05 to win, $4.75 to win via KO/TKO, $3.25 via decision, $7.50 via submission
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