UFC 323 goes down tomorrow night with Merab Dvalishvili attempting something no UFC champion has ever done – defending his title four times in a single calendar year. The Georgian champion faces former champion Petr Yan in a highly anticipated rematch at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, marking the UFC’s last pay-per-view event before the new Paramount+ deal takes effect in 2026.
“Merab Dvalishvili is a legend in the making,” declares Dave Simon on the latest episode of Ringside Report MMA. “He has defended the UFC bantamweight championship three times already in 2025, trying to make it his fourth title defense in this calendar year. Unprecedented. This is a level of activity from a champion that we have not seen in quite some time – four title fights in one year.”
The bantamweight title rematch headlines a stacked card that also features Alexandre Pantoja defending his flyweight championship against rising contender Joshua Van, plus Brandon Moreno vs Tatsuro Taira and Henry Cejudo’s potential retirement fight. Join Dave Simon, AJ D’Alesio, and Fred Garcia for the live watch-along tomorrow at 10 PM Eastern on YouTube as they break down every fight in real-time.
Merab Dvalishvili vs Petr Yan 2: Championship Rematch with Historic Implications
The main event of UFC 323 brings back a pairing that met in March 2023, when Merab Dvalishvili defeated Petr Yan by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night. Now, nearly three years later, the stakes are even higher as Merab defends his championship and attempts to make history.
“Merab is either the year is locked, he already won the SP award for Fighter of the Year,” Simon explains. “I think every MMA outlet, including our own, will name Merab 2025’s really his fighter of the year. How could you not, especially with this victory, especially with a victory on Saturday, right? The fighter of the year.”
AJ D’Alesio sees Merab dominating the rematch even more decisively than the first meeting. “He already knows the game with Petr Yan; he’s been able to handle him easily for five rounds, and he’s a much better Merab, a much better striker, a much better all-around athlete. I think he’s going to end that fight with Petr Yan. I don’t think it’s gonna go to any decision. I don’t think he’s gonna go five rounds. I think he’s gonna be able to close up the game before the fifth round with Petr Yan.”
The historical significance can’t be overstated. As Simon points out, “Cowboy Cerrone as a champion? As a champion? No one, no one man.” Even Ronda Rousey, who felt extremely active during her reign, only defended twice per year. “Ronda didn’t. She didn’t. Merab, I mean Ronda, felt really active, and she only fought like twice a year, which felt really active for a world champion.”
Petr Yan enters this rematch on a three-fight win streak, but his path to this title shot was complicated. “He fell into some weird stuff,” Simon notes. “There was the DQ with Sterling, where he lost the championship by disqualification, which was weird, and then Sterling was out for a while. He beats Corey Sandhagen to become the interim champion, then has the rematch with Aljo and loses by split decision, which was a close fight. Then he fights Sean O’Malley, and he loses by split decision, and everybody thought he won. Like that was a weird one too because I still think Petr Yan won that. Two judges gave it to O’Malley, one judge gave it to Yan. The judge who gave it to Yan was correct, so he got screwed out of that one.”
At 32 years old, Yan is still in his prime and represents one of the most technically sound strikers in the bantamweight division. But against Merab’s relentless pressure and championship-level wrestling, the consensus seems clear.
“I agree, I think Merab wins,” Simon concludes. “We agree, Merab, yeah, pretty much.”
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Alexandre Pantoja vs Joshua Van: Flyweight Title Fight Features Youth vs Experience
The co-main event showcases another championship bout as Alexandre Pantoja defends his flyweight title against 24-year-old rising star Joshua Van. Pantoja, at 35 years old with an eight-fight UFC win streak, faces perhaps his most dangerous challenger yet.
“We’ve got Alexander Pantoja defending against the young contender Joshua Van, 24 years old, fighting out of Houston, Texas, riding a five-fight win streak into this one, including a decision win over Brandon Royval back in June that earned him this title shot,” Simon breaks down. “Alexander Pantoja, 35 years old, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the home of MMA, has now an eight-fight win streak in the UFC, has defended the flyweight championship now four times in a row, and is looking unstoppable, submitting Kai Kara-France back in June at UFC 317.”
The technical analysis reveals fascinating contrasts. “Flyweight division is exciting because I think that it’s the most skilled division in MMA,” Simon explains. “You have to be very talented to fight at 125; you have to be technically sound. I think a lot of times, flyweights, because they’re usually like the smallest guys in the gym, they have to have their technique pretty sharp because the guys that they’re fighting are bigger than them. So they have to be technically sound. It’s just the flyweight division is usually where you’re seeing some high-level skill in all aspects of MMA – very well-rounded, very technical, very skilled fighters. And Pantoja is a great example of that as a champion. He can do it all.”
Dave Simon predicts a submission victory for the champion. “I’m a big Pantoja fan. I think Ju-Jitsu wins this fight, submission. I got Pantoja by choke, not sure what kind – maybe a darce, maybe rear naked. Not a guillotine, I don’t think. I could see like a darce, nice darce choke getting wrapped up. Guys are hitting darces a lot these days, very popular, sneaky. You can get hit from any angle.”
AJ D’Alesio, however, sees significant upset potential. “Joshua Van man, you can’t count him out. He’s one of the very exciting fighters coming into this, very aggressive, with punching power that can end a fight. I mean he’s won eight of his last nine. He’s only finished two of them, but this guy is built like a rock; he’s solid, he’s young, and he’s super aggressive. He’s got everything to make this fight exciting, but he has the power behind that punch to end the fight on Pantoja.”
D’Alesio continues with his analysis of the youth factor. “15 and 2 against a 35-year-old Pantoja. The kid is 24, going up against a 35-year-old Pantoja. You’re right on that cusp – 35 is the flag where your game is coming to its twilight. The only thing that Pantoja has is that reach. But it’s that power, because if he gets into that pocket, Joshua Van, he could do some damage. Most people don’t realize that at 24 years old in MMA today, this guy’s been training probably since he was six. They’re different at 24. They might be young, but their levels of skill and their levels of training are very different from what they were 10 years ago in the UFC.”
AJ’s bold prediction: “I’m going with the underdog on this dude. I’m going with Joshua Van for the win. I think he’s gonna make a big surprise and a big statement on Saturday. This kid’s there, and he’s the real deal. He’s the future.”
Brandon Moreno vs Tatsuro Taira: Number One Contender Fight
“Brandon Moreno, former champion, taking on Tatsuro Taira,” Simon sets up the matchup. “This could be a number-one contender’s fight for that flyweight championship. Taira 17 and 1, 25 years old, from Japan. Brandon Moreno, 31 years old, is a former champion with a 23-8-2 record out of Mexico. Moreno’s fought higher-level competition, but Taira is good and getting better all the time.”
The hosts see youth prevailing in this matchup. “I got Taira,” Simon states clearly, noting that Taira’s only loss came via split decision to Brandon Royval – the same fighter Moreno also lost to.
“Everything points to Moreno to win this,” D’Alesio analyzes. “All the bookmakers are giving Moreno a slight edge. But Moreno, after 31 fights, man, there’s a lot of wear and tear on Moreno. And when he fights, he fights – it’s a dog fight, man. He goes in there, and he lays it out on the line. You’re going up against a very young Tatsuro Taira, who’s only had one loss; he’s 17 wins to one loss, he’s young, and he still has 18 fights on his belt. I’m gonna go with Tatsuro Taira as well. I think youth is gonna probably win on this as well.”
Henry Cejudo vs Payton Talbott: Triple C’s Potential Finale
Henry Cejudo’s remarkable career may be coming to an end. The Olympic gold medalist and former two-division UFC champion faces 10-1 prospect Payton Talbott in what could be his retirement fight.
“Henry Cejudo looks like he’s retiring from MMA,” Simon confirms. “Youth and skill, former Olympic gold medalist. He could have done a lot more had he not walked away in 2020. He came back in 2023 and hasn’t won a fight since – lost to Aljo in 2023, lost to Merab in 2024, lost to Song Yadong earlier this year. And Yadong got him man. He has not won a fight in his comeback and I don’t expect him to win this fight either.”
The analysis turns bittersweet as Simon reflects on what could have been. “He was on top of the world, he was the double champion – flyweight, bantamweight champion in 2020. Beat Dominic Cruz and then retired and it felt like he could have done so much more. He could have been remembered as one of the greatest of all time in MMA. You look at the accomplishments – Olympic gold medal, two-weight champion in the UFC – he’s one of the most decorated combat sports athletes of all time, if not the most. But he just didn’t make a big mark in the UFC and I think a lot of that is because he retired when he was at the peak.”
“His best days are behind him,” D’Alesio adds. “It’s gonna be tough when you start talking retirement, when you say you’re gonna retire win or lose – usually it’s gonna be an uphill battle. It’s tough, dude, when you have all those accolades from the Olympics to being at one point on everybody’s tongue. Cejudo was the man, but he’s not that man anymore. It’s gonna be a tough fight. Payton is 27 years old, with a 38-year-old, not at his best, Cejudo. Cejudo is doing it at this point I think just for a paycheck. The drive is probably not at the same point as Payton. For Payton to win, to get a name like Cejudo under his belt, to bring it to 11-1, it’s a statement.”
Jan Błachowicz vs Bogdan Guskov: Polish Power Meets “The Goose”
“Jan Błachowicz, former light heavyweight champion, taking on Bogdan Guskov,” Simon introduces the matchup before immediately dubbing the Russian contender with a new nickname. “Bo Goose! The Goose! Bogdan Guskov, The Goose!”
Błachowicz, at 42 years old, is coming off two straight losses to Alex Pereira and Carlos Ulberg. Meanwhile, Guskov has won four straight in the UFC with violent knockout finishes.
“This is my dog pick here,” Simon announces. “I am going with Bo Goose. I think youth, power, scariness – have you seen the look of this guy?”
“The Goose is loose!” D’Alesio exclaims. “Even his KOs man are like so scary. The Goose is loose, I’m telling you.”
Simon warns the MMA media world about his new creation. “This is gonna be the next thing that people steal from me. I started hearing people – I don’t know if it was a UFC broadcast or might have been Ariel Helwani – who started calling Charles Oliveira ‘Chucky Olives’ and I was like, yo, they are stealing this from us. They’re listening to us man. No one is coming up with a nickname like Chucky Olives but me. And if other people are taking it, it is pure thievery. And people are gonna start calling this guy The Goose, Bo Goose, and it’s gonna be strictly from me. Bogdan Guskov, The Goose. The Goose is loose. When you start hearing that on a UFC broadcast, just know that they’re stealing from us because MMA media steals from us.”
Dave’s prediction: “I got him knocking out Jan Błachowicz. The Goose will be loose on Saturday.”
AJ agrees: “It’s gonna be hard. I give Yan one of the best light heavyweights most probably in the last decade. But damn, it’s a different game now. This guy’s coming in with four straight wins man, some crazy KO power behind them. Bogdan is a name I will remember on Saturday night. Five straight wins probably. Yan is 42 years old man. That Bogdan, he’s a scary dude. He’d make a great character in a horror film I’ll tell you that much.”
Ringside Report’s Official UFC 323 Predictions and Picks
The Ringside Report team has studied the matchups, analyzed the odds, and made their official predictions for UFC 323. Here’s how the hosts see tomorrow night’s action unfolding:
Main Event: Merab Dvalishvili (c) vs Petr Yan
Dave Simon’s Pick: Merab Dvalishvili by Decision or Late Finish Reasoning: “Merab wins. We agree. He’s just levels above the division right now.”
AJ D’Alesio’s Pick: Merab Dvalishvili by Finish Before Round 5 Reasoning: “He already knows the game with Petr Yan. He’s been able to handle him easily for five rounds and he’s a much better Merab now. I think he’s going to end that fight. I don’t think it’s gonna go five rounds.”
Betting Line: Merab -425 (heavy favorite)
Co-Main Event: Alexandre Pantoja (c) vs Joshua Van
Dave Simon’s Pick: Alexandre Pantoja by Submission (Darce or Rear Naked Choke) Reasoning: “I’m a big Pantoja fan. I think Ju-Jitsu wins this fight, submission. I got Pantoja by choke – maybe a darce, maybe rear naked. Guys are hitting darces a lot these days.”
AJ D’Alesio’s Pick: Joshua Van by Upset Reasoning: “I’m going with the underdog on this dude. I’m going with Joshua Van for the win. I think he’s gonna make a big surprise and a big statement on Saturday. This kid is 24, very talented, an elite fighter with power that can end the fight. He’s the future.”
Brandon Moreno vs Tatsuro Taira
Dave Simon’s Pick: Tatsuro Taira by Decision Reasoning: “I got Taira. It’s a tough fight for him but he’s young and getting better all the time.”
AJ D’Alesio’s Pick: Tatsuro Taira by Decision Reasoning: “I’m gonna go with Tatsuro Taira as well. I think youth is gonna probably win on this. After 31 fights there’s a lot of wear and tear on Moreno. When he fights it’s a dogfight and Taira is young with only 18 fights total.”
Betting Line: Taira -130 (slight favorite)
Henry Cejudo vs Payton Talbott
Dave Simon’s Pick: Payton Talbott by Decision Reasoning: “Cejudo hasn’t won a fight since his comeback, and I don’t expect him to win this fight either. His best days are behind him.”
AJ D’Alesio’s Pick: Payton Talbott by Decision
Reasoning: “It’s 27-year-old Payton against a 38-year-old, not at his best, Cejudo. The drive is probably not at the same point. For Payton to get a name like Cejudo under his belt is a statement.”
Betting Line: Talbott -275
Jan Błachowicz vs Bogdan Guskov
Dave Simon’s Pick: Bogdan Guskov by Knockout (Underdog Special) Reasoning: “This is my dog pick. I am going with Bo Goose. I think youth, power, scariness. I got him knocking out Jan Błachowicz. The Goose will be loose on Saturday.”
AJ D’Alesio’s Pick: Bogdan Guskov by Knockout Reasoning: “The Goose is loose! This guy’s coming in with four straight wins, some crazy KO power. Yan is 42 years old with a lot of wear and tear. Bogdan is a name I will remember on Saturday night.”
Betting Line: Guskov +105 (slight underdog)
Dave’s Official Parlay Pick
Three-Fight Parlay:
- Bogdan Guskov (+105)
- Payton Talbott (-275)
- Merab Dvalishvili (-425)
Payout: $20 to win $69
Dave’s Analysis: “Merab, Payton, The Goose Bo Goose – there he is, Bo Goose. That’s a nice payout. That is a good parlay from Team Dave. That’s a winning parlay to end the year.”
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Why UFC 323 Matters: Last PPV Before Paramount+ Era
Tomorrow night’s event represents more than just another fight card. UFC 323 marks the end of an era as the final pay-per-view event before the UFC’s new media deal with Paramount Skydance takes effect in 2026.
“This will be the UFC’s last pay-per-view event before its new media deal with Paramount Skydance takes effect in 2026,” the announcement confirms. “The numbered events will instead be available to stream at no additional cost on Paramount+ in the U.S. starting next year. The PPV model has been a hallmark of the promotion since its inception in 1993 and has been especially emphasized during the organization’s seven-year broadcast partnership with ESPN.”
For Merab Dvalishvili, the timing adds another layer of significance. Four title defenses in one calendar year demonstrate a level of commitment and dominance that transcends simple championship reigns and caps off the PPV era with historic activity.
“This is what separates good champions from great champions,” Simon emphasizes. “Merab isn’t sitting around waiting six months between fights. He’s taking on all challengers, staying active, and proving every time out that he’s the best bantamweight on the planet. With this victory, he surpasses Dominick Cruz as the greatest bantamweight of all time. The guy is just a living legend.”
.Join the Watch-Along: Live Analysis Starting at 10 PM ET
Don’t experience UFC 323 alone. Join Dave Simon, AJ D’Alesio, and Fred Garcia for the live watch-along on YouTube starting at 10 PM Eastern as the main card begins. The team will provide real-time analysis, predictions, and reactions to every fight.
“This is combat sports at its highest level,” Simon promises. “We’re going to break down every exchange, every round, every decision. Whether you’re a hardcore fan or just getting into MMA, we’re here to make sure you understand exactly what you’re watching and why it matters.”
Watch the live stream at youtube.com/live/2CbAzeV0c_4 and be part of the conversation as history potentially gets made tomorrow night at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The Stakes for the Bantamweight Division
The outcome of tomorrow’s main event shapes the entire UFC 323 bantamweight landscape for 2026. If Merab wins his fourth straight defense, he cements himself as arguably the greatest bantamweight champion in UFC history.
“With a victory on Saturday, Merab would become the first UFC champion in history to defend a title four times in the same calendar year,” the official UFC announcement states. “The pairing previously met in March 2023 at UFC Fight Night: Yan vs. Dvalishvili, which Dvalishvili won by unanimous decision.”
Simon sees Merab’s next challenger already emerging. “I think a rematch with Umar is looming and is likely next. However, Umar has to beat Deiveson Figueiredo in January. But I think the winner of that very likely gets next at Merab.”
The broader division picture depends entirely on Saturday night. “You can’t count out Petr Yan, but it’s just hard, it’s so hard to go against Merab,” Simon admits. “It’s so tough. He’s just a different level altogether. He’s just in fifth gear, dude. This is it. We’ve got a couple of years left with Merab, maybe one year left, maybe another defense against any of the other ones. Merab might end his career in 2026, and it would be a Cinderella story.”
Final Thoughts: Championship Activity Sets New Standard
As we count down to UFC 323, the overarching story remains Merab Dvalishvili’s unprecedented championship activity. Four title defenses in one calendar year isn’t just impressive – it’s revolutionary in an era where champions often fight once or twice per year.
“This is what fans want to see,” Simon concludes. “Active champions taking on all challengers. No ducking, no waiting for perfect matchups, just proving you’re the best every time you step in there. Merab gets it. He understands that being champion means fighting, not holding the belt hostage.”
The historical context makes this moment even more significant. “We haven’t seen this type of activity from a champion in quite some time,” D’Alesio notes. “Not George, not Khabib, not Cruz, not Aldo, not even Pereira – and Pereira defended three times last year. Alex Pereira fought three times and defended the UFC light heavyweight title three times last year. But this is four. This is Merab’s fourth title defense.”
Tomorrow night, we find out if that activity and pressure can overwhelm a former champion hungry for redemption. Join us at 10 PM Eastern for the live watch-along as UFC 323 delivers championship MMA at its finest and closes the PPV era with potentially historic results.
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About Ringside Report Network: The Combat Sports Authority provides unfiltered MMA and wrestling coverage through Ringside Report MMA (Thursdays 8 PM ET) and Wrestling Uncensored (Fridays 10 PM ET). Stream live on YouTube, Rumble, Twitch, DLive, and Kick.
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