The Ultimate Fighting Championship returns with UFC 323 on Saturday, December 6, in Las Vegas, headlined by a pivotal bantamweight title rematch and supported by a compelling flyweight championship bout.
The card is topped by a highly anticipated clash for the bantamweight title between reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili of Georgia and Russian challenger Petr Yan. This fight is a rematch of their 2023 encounter, which Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision.
"I like to be busy… I want to do the same thing next year."
Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili (@MerabDvalishvil) continues to chase history as he faces Petr Yan for his fourth title defense of 2025 at #UFC323.
Fight By Fight Preview ➡️: https://t.co/sulw4Kr7zq pic.twitter.com/imiAzExGBL
— UFC News (@UFCNews) December 4, 2025Dvalishvili (21-4) is defending his title for the fourth time this year. A victory would make him the first fighter in UFC history to win four title fights within a single calendar year, cementing an unprecedented year of dominance. Yan (19-5), a former champion known for his elite striking, seeks redemption and to reclaim the belt.
The co-main event features another title fight as flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja of Brazil defends his belt against the fast-rising Joshua Van. Pantoja has successfully defended his title against five challengers during his two-and-a-half-year reign.
"The way to beat him is to work first and not let him work."
Petr Yan (@PetrYanUFC) says he knows how to solve the puzzle of Merab Dvalishvili heading into their main event rematch at #UFC323.
Fight By Fight Preview ➡️: https://t.co/sulw4Kr7zq pic.twitter.com/p0EEo5anp2
— UFC News (@UFCNews) December 4, 2025Van, 24, is also fighting for the fourth time this year. A win would make him the first UFC champion born after the year 2000 and the second-youngest titleholder in the promotion’s history, marking a dramatic shift in the division.
Expert analysis from ESPN and UFC personalities heavily favours the reigning champions. For the bantamweight main event, analysts including Anthony Smith, Din Thomas, and Alan Jouban have picked Dvalishvili to retain. In the flyweight contest, only Rashad Evans has selected challenger Joshua Van, with the majority predicting Pantoja will successfully defend his title.
