Unveiling the Night’s Victors, Surprises, and Top Moments

KEY MOMENTS

Petr Yan delivered an exceptional display in the UFC 323 main event on Saturday night, toppling Merab Dvalishvili to claim the championship. Yan’s ability to thwart Dvalishvili’s relentless takedown attempts was remarkable, as he maintained composure against a pace that overwhelms most opponents. The judges awarded Yan the victory with scores of 49-46 twice and 48-47.

• Petr Yan dethroned Merab Dvalishvili via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47) to capture the UFC bantamweight title for the second time
• Joshua Van became flyweight champion after Alexandre Pantoja suffered a freak arm injury just 26 seconds into the co-main event
• Yan vs. Dvalishvili earned Fight of the Night while Manuel Torres and Iwo Baraniewski took home Performance of the Night bonuses

This triumph marked Yan’s second title reign, simultaneously halting Dvalishvili’s streak of four successful title defenses in a single year. Yan’s strategic use of jabs, counter punches, and targeted attacks on Dvalishvili’s body were instrumental in securing the win.

While Dvalishvili had his opportunities, he struggled to execute the takedowns and exert the control that had defined his impressive championship tenure.

The thrilling showdown earned both fighters the Fight of the Night bonus.

Meanwhile, the co-main event saw a new champion crowned in Joshua Van, albeit through an unfortunate twist. Alexandre Pantoja’s severe arm injury abruptly ended the bout. While the video of the incident isn’t included here, those interested can click here to view it.

UFC 323 Co-Main Event Ends in Injury and Title Change

In the co-main event, we got an anticlimactic ending, but a new champion in Joshua Van, nonetheless. Alexandre Pantoja suffered a grotesque arm injury that forced the end of the fight. I won’t post the video here, but if you want to see the moment, click here.

Van’s title coronation might be the least celebrated in UFC history. The fight literally lasted 26 seconds and there were minimal strikes. It wasn’t Van’s fault, but it won’t be a shock if fans say he didn’t actually beat anyone to become champion. Depending on the length of Pantoja’s absence, most expect Tatsuro Taira to get the first title shot at Van.

When Pantoja returns, he’ll probably be after the man who has the title.

UFC 323 Bonuses ($50,000 Each)

• Fight of the Night: Petr Yan vs. Merab Dvalishvili
• Performance of the Night: Manuel Torres
• Performance of the Night: Iwo Baraniewski

Henry Cejudo Retirement and Special Bonus

Henry Cejudo received an immediate $50,000 bonus from Dana White in the cage following his loss to Payton Talbott. The special award came as Cejudo announced his retirement, closing out a Hall of Fame career.

UFC 323 Main Card Results

UFC Bantamweight Championship – Fight of the Night Petr Yan def. Merab Dvalishvili (c) – unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47)

UFC Flyweight Championship Joshua Van def. Alexandre Pantoja (c) – TKO (injury) at 0:26 of round 1

Flyweight Bout Tatsuro Taira def. Brandon Moreno – TKO (ground-and-pound) at 2:24 of round 2

Bantamweight Bout Payton Talbott def. Henry Cejudo – unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Light Heavyweight Bout Jan Błachowicz vs. Bogdan Guskov – majority draw (29-28 Błachowicz, 28-28, 28-28)

UFC 323 Prelims Results

Women’s Flyweight Bout Maycee Barber def. Karine Silva – unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Lightweight Bout Fares Ziam def. Nazim Sadykhov – TKO (strikes) at 4:59 of round 2

Catchweight Bout (188 lbs) Brunno Ferreira def. Marvin Vettori – unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Lightweight Bout Jalin Turner def. Edson Barboza – TKO (combination strikes) in round 1

Lightweight Bout – Performance of the Night Manuel Torres def. Grant Dawson – TKO (uppercut to ground-and-pound) at 2:25 of round 1

Lightweight Bout Chris Duncan def. Terrance McKinney – submission (anaconda choke) at 2:30 of round 1

UFC 323 Early Prelims Results

Light Heavyweight Bout – Performance of the Night Iwo Baraniewski def. Ibo Aslan – KO/TKO at 1:29 of round 1

Middleweight Bout Mansur Abdul-Malik def. Antonio Trocoli – submission (standing guillotine) at 1:09 of round 1

Featherweight Bout Mairon Santos def. Muhammad Naimov – TKO (punches) at 0:21 of round 3

What’s Next

Van’s upset over Pantoja and Taira’s finish of Moreno set up a fresh hierarchy in the flyweight division. With Taira looking like the clear next contender, the 125-pound division has new life heading into 2026.

At bantamweight, Yan’s second title reign creates intriguing matchup possibilities. Dvalishvili will likely want an immediate rematch, but there’s a line of contenders ready to challenge the new champion.

Dvalishvili deserves an immediate rematch. If he doesn’t get one, that’s criminal.

Final Thoughts

I must say, the main event was amazing, but the real Fight of the Night was Iwo Baraniewski def. Ibo Aslan via first-round TKO. It lasted 90 seconds, but it was the best 90-second fight I’ve ever seen.

On the final pay-per-view event of 2025 and of the UFC on ESPN era, the promotion and network went out with a bang. If the Paramount+ events are on this level, fans will be thrilled.