News Summary
Las Vegas will host UFC 323 featuring a bantamweight title rematch between champion Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Petr Yan, along with other exciting bouts. The co-main event will see flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defend his title against Joshua Van. This event marks the end of the 2025 UFC schedule and is expected to deliver intense competition with significant title implications. Notably, Henry Cejudo is making a return to the octagon, adding to the anticipation surrounding the card.
Las Vegas Announces UFC 323 Schedule with Major Title Rematch and Co-Main Events
Las Vegas is set to host the final numbered UFC event of 2025, UFC 323, scheduled for December 6, at the T-Mobile Arena. The event promises a lineup of high-stakes bouts, including a significant bantamweight title rematch and several notable title defenses and eliminator fights.
Main Event: Bantamweight Title Rematch
The main attraction is a rematch between bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili and former champion Petr Yan. Dvalishvili, who has been dominating the bantamweight division during 2025, aims to secure his fourth title defense in a single year — a record for most defenses in a calendar year in the division. Valishvili’s previous successful title defense was against Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320, where he won via unanimous decision.
Throughout 2025, Dvalishvili has scored notable victories over fighters such as Umar Nurmagomedov and Sean O’Malley, building his reputation as a dominant champion. His 2023 victory over Yan remains a highlight, where he earned a unanimous decision largely through a strategic striking advantage (147 to 75 significant strikes) and demonstrated comprehensive grappling with 11 takedowns. Yan’s resurgence this year, with three consecutive wins including a decision over Marcus McGhee, has set the stage for this rematch, promising an intense showdown that could impact the division’s landscape.
Co-Main Event: Flyweight Title Defense
The co-main event features flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja defending his title against challenger Joshua Van. Pantoja, who claimed the belt from Brandon Moreno in December 2023, has successfully defended his title four times in 2025. His most recent defense was a submission victory over Kai Kara-France at UFC 317, marking his eighth consecutive win and reinforcing his position at the top of the division.
Van, on a five-fight winning streak, earned this shot by defeating Brandon Royval, demonstrating his rising status in the flyweight ranks. His recent performances showcase an exciting fighting style, keeping the division competitive and promising an engaging fight for the championship.
Besides the title fights, Henry Cejudo, a former two-division champion and Olympic gold medalist, will return to face Payton Talbott. Cejudo, who returned from retirement in 2023, has experienced decision losses in recent bouts but remains a significant figure in the division. Talbott earned his UFC spot via Dana White’s Contender Series and has been making a name through aggressive performances, including a recent decision win over Felipe Lima.
In the light heavyweight category, former champion Jan Błachowicz will meet rising contender Bogdan Guskov. Błachowicz is looking to break a losing streak that began after his last victory in May 2022, while Guskov enters the fight on a four-fight, four-finish streak, highlighting his momentum and potential to disrupt the division’s rankings.
Event Significance
UFC 323 is expected to be a landmark event, capping off the 2025 schedule with multiple title implications and high-profile matchups. The rematch between Dvalishvili and Yan, along with the title defenses in the flyweight and notable battles in heavyweight and middleweight categories, make this a highly anticipated card for fans and analysts alike.
The event’s lineup underscores the UFC’s ongoing focus on delivering championship-quality fights that shape the division hierarchies and set up future challengers. As the promotion looks to close out the year strong, UFC 323 promises to deliver a night of intense competition rooted in high stakes and significant title implications.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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 VIRGINIA BEACH WRITER
VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER The VIRGINIA BEACH STAFF WRITER represents the seasoned team at HEREVirginiaBeach.com, your trusted source for actionable local news and information in Virginia Beach, Virginia Beach City, and beyond, delivering "news you can use" with comprehensive coverage of product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news impacting the region—supported by years of expert reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates, while offering top reporting on high-profile events like the Virginia Beach Neptune Festival, East Coast Surfing Championship, and military homecoming celebrations, alongside key organizations such as the Virginia Aquarium, Virginia Beach Convention Center, and Oceana Naval Air Station, plus leading businesses in tourism and defense like Busch Gardens and Northrop Grumman, and as part of the broader HERE network including HEREWilliamsburg.com, providing credible, in-depth insights into Virginia's vibrant landscape. HERE Virginia Beach HERE Williamsburg
