"UFC 323 closes out the ESPN era as far as Pay-Per-View is concerned, with the promotion jumping to Paramount+ in 2026 and ditching PPV entirely. It also affords Merab Dvalishvili a chance to make history, as the bantamweight champion looks to become the first man to defend his title four times in a calendar year. Looking to play spoiler and earn revenge is ex-champ Petr Yan. The Russian was soundly defeated by Dvalishvili, losing via decision as the Georgian made his run to the UFC's 135lb title."
"There was but a single unanimous selection among our writers responding for UFC 323, and that was champ Merab Dvalishvili. With a machine-like 14-fight win streak, no one sees Petr Yan winning this rematch. It's hard to argue against Dvalishvili, who has been one of the most dominant fighters in the UFC over the past couple of years. A couple of writers do see Joshua Van upsetting flyweight champ Alexandre Pantoja, but the majority are still siding with the incumbent champ."
UFC 323 ends the ESPN Pay-Per-View era as the promotion transitions to Paramount+ in 2026 and removes traditional PPV. Bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili aims to become the first fighter to defend a UFC title four times in a single calendar year. Former champion Petr Yan seeks revenge after losing a decision to Dvalishvili during the title run. Alexandre Pantoja defends the flyweight title against Joshua Van in the co-main event while Henry Cejudo faces Payton Talbott in Cejudo's retirement fight. Most predictions favor Dvalishvili to retain, with some backing Pantoja and Talbott.
Read at Cageside Press
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