Petr Yan earned revenge against Merab Dvalishvili at UFC 323, finally solving the Georgian’s puzzle to regain the bantamweight title and halt the champion’s dominant run.
Two years after losing a clear decision to Dvalishvili, Yan produced a phenomenal, well-rounded performance to outpoint the “Machine” and become a two-time undisputed champion.
After outpointing Umar Nurmagomedov and Cory Sandhagen in 2025, either side of a submission of rival Sean O’Malley, Dvalishvili made history at UFC 323: becoming the first UFC fighter to attempt four title defences in a calendar year. He could not make it four wins from four fights, though; Yan outstruck the Georgian and hurt him to the body multiple times, while also showing off great wrestling defensively and offensively.
That rematch followed the co-main event, in which Alexandre Pantoja’s title reign came to an abrupt end in unexpected fashion. Not even 30 seconds into the dominant champion’s defence against Joshua Van, the Brazilian suffered an arm injury and was unable to contnue.
Follow live updates and results from the UFC 323 main card and prelims, below.
UFC 323 live
- Petr Yan regains bantamweight title with masterful performance against Merab Dvalishvili
- Yan avenges 2023 loss to Dvalishvili by outpointing the dominant champion in Vegas
- Co-main event: Joshua Van takes flyweight belt from injured Alexandre Pantoja
- Pantoja hurts arm inside 30 seconds of first round; Van is youngest-active champ at 24
- Former dual-weight champion Henry Cejudo retires after spirited showing in defeat
- Former 205lb champion Jan Blachowicz battles Bogdan Guskov to majority draw
- Brandon Moreno another ex-champ to come up short, suffering TKO by Tatsuro Taira
UFC 323 fallout: Dana White on Alexandre Pantoja injury
16:14 , Alex PattleUFC 323 fallout: Payton Talbott retires Henry Cejudo
15:59 , Alex PattleUFC 323 fallout: Joshua Van on strange title win
15:44 , Alex PattleUFC 323 fallout: Petr Yan reacts to title triumph
15:33 , Alex PattleUFC 323 live: What do results mean for p4p rankings?
08:29 , Alex PattleBoth Pantoja and Dvalishvili ranked highly on our pound-for-pound list ahead of UFC 323.
Pantoja was at No 4, and Dvalishvili was at No 3.
The list will be updated on Monday morning, so where would you have each fighter sit?
UFC 323: Cejudo vs Talbott in photos
08:14 , Alex Pattle
UFC 323: Moreno vs Taira in photos
07:59 , Alex Pattle
UFC 323: Pantoja vs Van in photos
07:44 , Alex Pattle
UFC 323 results in full: Early prelims
07:29 , Alex PattleBrunno Ferreira def. Marvin Vettori via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Jalin Turner def. Edson Barboza via first-round TKO (punches, 2:24)
Iwo Baraniewski def. Ibo Aslan via first-round KO (punches, 1:29)
Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Antonio Trocoli via first-round submission (guillotine choke, 1:09)
Mairon Santos def. Muhammad Naimov via third-round TKO (punches, 0:21)
UFC 323 results in full: Regular prelims
07:14 , Alex PattleManuel Torres def. Grant Dawson via first-round TKO (punches, 2:25)
Chris Duncan def. Terrance McKinney via first-round submission (Anaconda choke, 2:30)
Maycee Barber def. Karine Silva via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Fares Ziam def. Nazim Sadykhov via second-round TKO (elbows, 5:00)
UFC 323 results in full: Main card
06:59 , Alex PattlePetr Yan def. Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja via first-round TKO (injury, 0:26)
Tatsuro Taira def. Brandon Moreno via second-round TKO (ground and pound, 2:24)
Payton Talbott def. Henry Cejudo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Jan Blachowicz and Bogdan Guskov fight to majority draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)
Yan solves Dvalishvili puzzle at UFC 323 as Van wins title from injured Pantoja
06:50 , Alex PattleHere’s our report in full:
Yan solves Dvalishvili puzzle at UFC 323 as Van wins title from injured Pantoja
UFC 323 live: Petr Yan dethrones Merab Dvalishvili with redemptive win
06:41 , Alex PattleJust an incredible performance by @PetrYanUFC!
— UFC (@ufc) December 7, 2025
No Mercy is a champ yet again!! #UFC323 pic.twitter.com/EkIKMCckJe
UFC 323 live: Petr Yan dethrones Merab Dvalishvili with redemptive win
06:28 , Alex PattleThe fight in photos:
UFC 323 live: Petr Yan dethrones Merab Dvalishvili with redemptive win
06:21 , Alex PattleMerab: “I tried to stand toe to toe with him, and he was the better man today.”
UFC 323 live: Petr Yan dethrones Merab Dvalishvili with redemptive win
06:18 , Alex PattleMerab: “I tried to give an entertaining fight, and I lost today.
“He had the better game today, congratulations to him.
“But I want a rematch, I want to run it back.
“It’s always hard for me to make 135lb, but I’m not making any excuse.
“I just tried to entertain, I’m glad [UFC president] Dana White was happy.”
UFC 323 live: Petr Yan dethrones Merab Dvalishvili with redemptive win
06:15 , Alex PattleYan: “I want to give props to that team. I fought twice with Aljamain [Sterling], twice with Merab. That’s an incredibly hard, strong team.
“I want to say hey to my country Russia. I want to say hey to my sons, my wife, and my lovely mother.”
UFC 323 live: Petr Yan dethrones Merab Dvalishvili with redemptive win
06:13 , Alex PattleYan: “I’m very happy to stand here with the championship belt, thank you so much to all the fans.
“I worked so hard, I prepared so hard for this moment. This is my life.”
UFC 323 live: Petr Yan dethrones Merab Dvalishvili with redemptive win
06:11 , Alex PattlePetr Yan def. Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)
It’s official! And NEW! And once again!
UFC 323 live: Merab Dvalishvili defends bantamweight belt in Petr Yan rematch
06:09 , Alex PattleRound five
Both men land jabs. Merab has been landing some short elbows.
He tries a standing guillotine then hits the canvas, but no joy! Yan is on top with 90 seconds to go.
Merab stands. He lands a front kick, but he’s then kicked in the body and he shows the pain again!
One minute to go. Yan takes down Merab in the final 15 seconds!
Merab is back up, but his title reign may be over...
UFC 323 live: Merab Dvalishvili defends bantamweight belt in Petr Yan rematch
06:04 , Alex PattleFinal round! Yan could actually be 4-0 up. But there have been a couple of close rounds, so 2-2 isn’t even off the cards! That feels unlikely, though; I’d accept 3-1 to Yan.
Round five
Yan targets the body and makes Merab miss on repeat. Big right cross by Yan. Now a one-two, started by a lead uppercut. Beautiful.
Head kick just about lands for the Russian. He looks a bit tired, but still he’s coming forward.
Merab with a one-two then a body lock. HIs takedown is thwarted.
UFC 323 live: Merab Dvalishvili defends bantamweight belt in Petr Yan rematch
06:00 , Alex PattleRound four
Yan defends a takedown then wings a big left hook to the body! Merab winces but comes forward! Wow.
A right and a left hand land for Yan. He is fighting SO well. Has he solved the puzzle of Merab?
He’s had to be solid in every department, striking and grappling defensively and offensively, and somehow he’s been doing it all.
UFC 323 live: Merab Dvalishvili defends bantamweight belt in Petr Yan rematch
05:58 , Alex PattleRound four
Into the championship rounds. Merab tries to grapple, but Yan reverses the position.
Merab defends with a guillotine choke, but is it on? He takes Yan to the mat with it... Merab is squeezing desperately, but to no avail!
Yan pops his head out, and now he holds Merab, who stands against the cage wall.
The bantamweights separate, and Yan throws a side kick to the knee. Good cross by Merab, then a front kick to the body.
Yan defends a takedown. Merab lands another front kick.
Yan hurts Merab again, and the champ skips away once more!
UFC 323 live: Merab Dvalishvili defends bantamweight belt in Petr Yan rematch
05:54 , Alex PattleRound three
Merab with a knee to the body. Yan comes forward, but his mouth is open.
He sprawls well to deny Merab a takedown, then knees Merab well!
Yan shoots for a takedown and stumbles into no man’s land. Nice jabs and crosses though, after he regains composure.
Merab punches to the body and backs Yan to the fence. Both men knee the body in the clinch.
Oh!! Merab is visibly hurt by a body kick! He skips away, but the buzzer saves him! It’s like his first fight with Sean O’Malley!
That moment might have won Yan a close round. He could even be 3-0 up now...
UFC 323 live: Merab Dvalishvili defends bantamweight belt in Petr Yan rematch
05:51 , Alex PattleRound three
Yan presses forward again. He snaps back Merab’s head with a jab.
Merab closes distance with a right hand, but he’s dumped on his head by Yan! Wow!
Who would’ve predicted this offensive wrestling from the Russian?? Merab is able to pop back up, but both men look tired.
Some chaotic exchanges ensue, and this time it’s Merab who lifts and slams Yan!
Merab was really playing to the crowd with that one; he took his time before dropping the challenger! Yan quickly stands, as Merab did when he was dumped down himself.
UFC 323 live: Merab Dvalishvili defends bantamweight belt in Petr Yan rematch
05:48 , Alex PattleRound two
Merab grabs a single-leg and pushes Yan to the fence.
Yan separates himself, and the round ends with both men landing punches.
Yan’s face is bloody, but I think that’s Merab’s blood on it!
Yan might be 2-0 up. At worst for him, it’s 1-1.
UFC 323 live: Merab Dvalishvili defends bantamweight belt in Petr Yan rematch
05:46 , Alex PattleHow do you score that first round? Based on damage, it’s surely Yan’s, but other factors count in Merab’s favour: the control time and volume of output. Still, damage takes precedent.
Round two
Merab quickly gets after Yan, grappling straight away in this round. Again he’s holding Yan against the fence, but Yan eventually gets free.
Hard left hook by Yan. Merab is reaching. More clean punches upstairs by Yan. He covers up and makes Merab miss with his own combination.
Another stern jab by Yan, and more misses by Merab. Now Yan tries a takedown! And he gets it!!
Merab scrambles well, though, and he has a rear body lock!
The pair stand, and Dvalishvili has a guillotine against the cage... but Yan stays calm and escapes.
UFC 323 live: Merab Dvalishvili defends bantamweight belt in Petr Yan rematch
05:41 , Alex PattleRound one
Great takedown defence by Yan, who is able to deny Merab a couple more times in the final minute.
Merab’s face is bloodied up.
UFC 323 live: Merab Dvalishvili defends bantamweight belt in Petr Yan rematch
05:40 , Alex PattleRound one
Referee Marc Goddard has to warn Yan to stay behind the black line until the official gives the go-ahead. We’re under way, and Yan presses forward at once, switching stances.
Merab, who sparred this morning(!), lands a left hand early. Now a right! He’s loading up. The takedown threat will be occupying Yan’s mind.
But Yan lands a couple of slick jabs now. He is the naturally better striker. Each man lands a jab.
There’s a brief clinch, but Yan separates. He eats a few punches in the ensuing exchange.
Some good jabs by Yan, then a brutal cross, and Merab is skipping away! He’s talking to Yan, who doesn’t rush anything... but Merab looks hurt...
And here’s the first takedown attempt by Merab, who can’t finish it for the time being! He fails with a single-leg and settles for a body lock on the fence.
UFC 323 live: Merab Dvalishvili defends bantamweight belt in Petr Yan rematch
05:32 , Alex PattleOkay, time for the main event.
The men’s bantamweight title is on the line, as divisional king Merab Dvalishvili faces former champion Petr Yan.
Dvalishvili, who outpointed Yan two years ago while closing in on a title shot, is remarkably seeking a fourth straight successful defence of the belt in 12 months.
The Georgian outpointed Umar Nurmagomedov in January and Cory Sandhagen in October, either side of a submission victory over Sean O’Malley – the man he dethroned last year.
Meanwhile, Yan enters Las Vegas’s T-Mobile Arena on the back of a three-fight winning streak, having snapped a shocking three-fight losing streak.
Since early 2024, the Russian has outpointed former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo, Song Yadong, and Marcus McGhee.
Now, he eyes redemption against Dvalishvili at last.
UFC 323 live: Pantoja injured early in flyweight defence vs Van
05:22 , Alex PattleJoe Rogan suggests to Van that, if Pantoja is out for a while, the new champ will likely defend the belt against Taira in the coming months.
Van welcomes the challenge.
A 24-year-old versus a 25-year-old? That would surely be one of the lowest combined ages in UFC title-fight history.
UFC 323 live: Pantoja injured early in flyweight defence vs Van
05:16 , Alex PattleJoshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja via first-round TKO (injury, 0:26)
Van doesn’t care how he won the belt, he’s ecstatic!
Pantoja is already out of the arena, going to get treatment.
UFC 323 live: Pantoja injured early in flyweight defence vs Van
05:14 , Alex PattleRound one
Oh, my word!! It’s over in barely 30 seconds!
After some wild exchanges, Pantoja drops to the canvas and clutches his arm. He’s injured!
Van stands over him, as does referee Herb Dean, and Pantoja wags his finger... but does he mean he can’t continue or he doesn’t want to stop?
Either way, Dean waves it off!
A replay shows Pantoja might have dislocated or broken his arm while posting on the canvas, after Van caught a head kick and shoved the champ to the mat.
It’s such a shame, such an unexpected end to Pantoja’s reign and this fight – but this is fighting; Van caused the injury, in a way...
He’s the new champ, regardless!!
UFC 323 live: Alexandre Pantoja defends flyweight belt vs Joshua Van
05:00 , Alex PattleWe stay in the flyweight division, where Alexandre Pantoja defends his title against Joshua Van.
Pantoja, since dethroning Moreno in 2023, has been dominant with four successful title defences.
Most recently, the 35-year-old Brazilian submitted Kai Kara-France in June.
On the same night, Van outpointed former title challenger Brandon Royval.
With that, the Myanmar native extended his win streak to five in just nine months.
If the 24-year-old can build on that run tonight, he will become the youngest-active UFC champ.
UFC 323 live: Ex-champ Brandon Moreno beaten by young prospect Tatsuro Taira
04:51 , Alex PattleTatsuro Taira def. Brandon Moreno via second-round TKO (ground and pound, 2:24)
Moreno turns 32 tomorrow. He’s still young, but he’s been in this sport a long time.
In any case, there’s a new contender in Taira! He enthusiastically calls for a title shot, and he might just get it.
UFC 323 live: Ex-champ Brandon Moreno faces tough Tatsuro Taira test
04:47 , Alex PattleRound two
Moreno with a jab, then each man lands a right hand at the same time.
Moreno with a right overhand then a left hook to the body! Some unorthodox throwing here, but it tends to work for the Mexican.
Taira shoots for a takedown, but Moreno sprawls well. Taira with hard knees to the body now, though, and then he finishes a takedown!
He’s seeking a rear naked choke... Now Moreno is flattened out and eating punches! Moreno isn’t defending!
Oh, and the ref stops it! It’s all over! Moreno is stopped for the FIRST time.
He complains, and I get it; he wasn’t hurt, but he wasn’t really defending either.
UFC 323 live: Ex-champ Brandon Moreno faces tough Tatsuro Taira test
04:40 , Alex PattleRound one
Both men stand orthodox. Taira loads up with his punches early on. Now he shoots for a takedown, a double-leg, but Moreno reacts well and ends up on top!
Taira tries to tip him off, and Moreno tries a triangle choke from a unique angle... I don’t think it’s quite there...
There are some boos from the crowd, but Moreno is trying to finish the submission!
The majority of the round plays out in that position, with Moreno essentially upside down against the fence, and with Taira trying to stay calm inside the submission.
Taira does get out in the final 15 seconds, and he manages to land some knees as the flyweights stand.
UFC 323 live: Henry Cejudo retires after Payton Talbott loss
04:19 , Alex PattlePayton Talbott def. Henry Cejudo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
A very impressive performance from Talbott. He was definitely helped by his height advantage, but even so. He scores a win over a legend of the sport and shows off some versatility along the way.
And what a way for Cejudo to go out. He showed unbelievable heart and grit. Genuinely, almost impossible to comprehend.
UFC 323 live: Henry Cejudo to retire after Payton Talbott fight
04:15 , Alex PattleRound three
Brutal uppercut by Talbott, who survives another takedown from Cejudo. Now a front kick to the body of Triple C.
More clean rights and left hands by Talbott, then another knee.
Oh! A body shot has Cejudo really hurt, and he grabs a single-leg out of desperation!
Talbott shrugs him off, and there are 30 seconds left.
Cejudo and Talbott swing until the final buzzer, which sounds the end of Cejudo’s career!
The former training partners embrace. WHAT a fight. WHAT a night this has been.
UFC 323 live: Henry Cejudo to retire after Payton Talbott fight
04:12 , Alex Pattle“You’re the toughest f***ing guy I’ve ever met,” is the message from Cejudo’s chief cornerman. Indeed, Cejudo is leaving this sport with his pride intact.
Round three
Final round. Cejudo is landing clean punches again, but Talbott has seemed unfazed by the ex-champ’s power throughout.
Left hand and right knee by Talbott. Stinging jabs now. He’s piecing up Cejudo. Triple C grabs a single-leg, but he’s neutralised by Talbott, who manages to get to the fence and clinch.
“Henry” is the chant from the fans, who haven’t always been in his corner. This is rousing to see and hear, I have to say.
A scramble ends with Cejudo on top, but Talbott stands.
UFC 323 live: Henry Cejudo to retire after Payton Talbott fight
04:08 , Alex PattleRound two
Talbott cracks Cejudo again, hurting him early in round two, but Triple C scrambles well!
Good grit from Cejudo, who is on top in half-guard now. He moves into side control briefly, then back to half-guard.
Talbott scoots to the fence and stands well. Now he reverses the position and holds Cejudo against the cage wall.
Cejudo disengages and moves into the open. Talbott with a nice body shot and crisp combinations up top.
Cejudo is wilting! A harsh knee by Talbott, and Cejudo is crumbling here... Or is he?! He lands a huge one-two! Both men are landing clean!
Talbott shoves down Cejudo and tries ground and pound. This is chaos. Cejudo stands, they’re both still landing. Talbott smiles!
Cejudo’s right eye is a bloody mess. Somehow they hear the buzzer.
UFC 323 live: Henry Cejudo to retire after Payton Talbott fight
04:00 , Alex PattleRound one
Cejudo with a few low kicks early on. He presses forward. Talbott, the much-taller fighter, lands a crisp right cross! More low kicks from Cejudo.
The former champ lands another while eating a jab. Talbott switches stances. Cejudo manages to close range even while missing with punches, but why isn’t he wrestling?
Okay, now he grabs a single-leg, but he can’t finish it. Now he tries to get underhooks, but Talbott denies him and lands a knee to the body.
The bantamweights separate, and both of them land punches in a dangerous exchange. Cejudo complains about an eye poke.
The action is only briefly paused. Back under way, and Talbott hits the canvas after a trip by Cejudo!
Talbott pops back up, and both men are throwing plenty of punches again. Wow! Talbott takes down Cejudo! Inside trip. Who saw that coming?
Cejudo throws some elbows from inside Talbott’s guard. Cejudo shuffles to the fence, where he turns and stands. He eats some punches as he does so, but he’s up and out.
Stern jab by Talbott, who follows up with another slick takedown!
UFC 323 live: Henry Cejudo to retire after Payton Talbott fight
03:51 , Alex PattleWe drop down to bantamweight here, where former dual-weight champion Henry Cejudo fights one last time.
“Triple C”, who held UFC belts at bantamweight and flyweight after winning Olympic gold in wrestling, retired in 2020 but not for good.
This time, surely, the 38-year-old American is bowing out.
He goes out with a tough test against a young compatriot, 27-year-old Payton Talbott.
UFC 323 live: Jan Blachowicz takes on Bogdan Guskov
03:44 , Alex PattleJan Blachowicz and Bogdan Guskov fight to majority draw (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)
So, Blachowicz wins the first and third round on every scorecard, while Guskov gets a 10-8 in round 2 of two of the cards.
But the third card had Guskov winning round 2 by 10-9, so he lost on that scorecard!
Still, the scoring has this one a draw overall.
UFC 323 live: Jan Blachowicz takes on Bogdan Guskov
03:40 , Alex PattleRound three
The pair embrace to begin this final round, in which Blachowicz needs something big.
He eats a hard cross, which snaps back his head, but he continues to jab and kick low.
Blachowicz lands a hard left hook but again has his head snapped back by a right – and another, and a jab. Guskov is the much-faster boxer in there.
Another swift cross by Guskov. Blachowicz steps in and lands a left hook, then adds a right.
Oh, he’s going for the kill here! Guskov looks a bit tired... One-two lands on the younger fighter! Hard front kick by Blachowicz, too.
Now a combination upstairs. Blachowicz struggled early in this round, but he might have taken it!
And he drops Guskov in the final 10 seconds! Wow! He can’t get the stoppage, but that DEFINITELY steals him the third round.
The scoring will be very interesting here...
