News Summary
UFC 323 is set to take place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, featuring a main event bantamweight title rematch between reigning champion Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Petr Yan. With Dvalishvili looking to extend his title defense record and Yan trying to regain dominance, the matchup promises excitement. The co-main event will see Alexander Pantoja defend his flyweight title against Joshua Van. Other notable fights include Henry Cejudo against Payton Talbott and Jan Błachowicz facing Bogdan Guskov, making UFC 323 a highly anticipated conclusion for the UFC calendar.
Las Vegas Set to Host UFC 323 Featuring Key Title Rematches and Major Fights
Las Vegas, Nevada — The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has announced its final numbered event of 2025, scheduled for December 6, 2025, at the T-Mobile Arena. The event, UFC 323, will feature an eagerly anticipated main event and several title bouts, promising to be a pivotal moment in the promotion’s calendar for the year.
Main Event: Bantamweight Title Rematch
The main attraction will be a rematch for the bantamweight championship between Merab Dvalishvili, the reigning champion, and Petr Yan, the former champion. Dvalishvili aims to extend his record for most title defenses in a single calendar year, seeking his fourth defense in 2025.
In their previous encounter in 2023, Dvalishvili secured a unanimous decision victory over Yan, demonstrating superior striking with a significant strike advantage (147-75) and executing 11 takedowns. Since then, Dvalishvili has built a notable 2025 record, having achieved wins against fighters like Umar Nurmagomedov and Sean O’Malley. His recent successful title defense was against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320, where he won via unanimous decision.
Meanwhile, Petr Yan has rebounded with a string of three consecutive wins, including a decision over Marcus McGhee. His return to form sets the stage for an intense rematch with Dvalishvili, with both fighters eager to cement their dominance in the bantamweight division.
Co-Main Event: Flyweight Title Defense
The co-main event will showcase Alexander Pantoja, defending his flyweight title against Joshua Van. Pantoja has been highly active since claiming the championship in December 2023, successfully defending it four times and extending his winning streak to eight victories, including a submission win over Kai Kara-France at UFC 317.
Van, on a five-fight win streak, earned his title shot after a recent decision victory over Brandon Royval. His impressive run has positioned him as a formidable challenger to Pantoja’s reign.
Additional Notable Matchups
Former two-division UFC champion Henry Cejudo is scheduled to face Payton Talbott. Cejudo, a gold medalist in wrestling at the Olympics, returned to active competition in 2023 after a period of retirement. His recent fights have resulted in decision losses, prompting him to seek a resurgence in this matchup.
Talbott secured his spot on the UFC roster through Dana White’s Contender Series and has impressed with an aggressive fighting style. His recent decision win over Felipe Lima has solidified his status as a rising contender.
Light Heavyweight Featured Matchup
An important light heavyweight contest will see Jan Błachowicz attempt to end a losing streak that dates back to May 2022. Błachowicz seeks to regain momentum against Bogdan Guskov, who is riding a four-fight, four-finish winning streak, signifying a rising threat in the division.
Event Significance
UFC 323 is anticipated to serve as a landmark event, wrapping up the 2025 UFC schedule with multiple title implications and high-stakes matchups. The combination of a championship rematch, title defenses, and rising contenders ensures this event will be a memorable conclusion to UFC’s year.
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Additional Resources
- UFC: Dana White Announces UFC 323 Fights
- Wikipedia: Mixed Martial Arts
- ESPN: Merab Dvalishvili to Defend Title Again
- Google Search: UFC 323
- Sports Illustrated: Merab Dvalishvili’s Historic Win
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Mixed Martial Arts
- MiddleEasy: Dvalishvili vs Yan 2 Headlines UFC 323
- Google News: UFC 323
Author: STAFF HERE RALEIGH WRITER
RALEIGH STAFF WRITER The RALEIGH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERERaleigh.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Raleigh, Wake County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh Arts Festival, and the Hopscotch Music Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and Visit Raleigh, plus leading businesses in technology and education that power the local economy such as Red Hat and NC State University. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HERECharlotte.com, HEREGreensboro.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
