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After UFC 323, Yan Rebuffs Immediate Trilogy Talk and UFC Expects Van to Defend Before Pantoja Returns

Bookmakers and media outline likely challengers as uncertainty over Alexandre Pantoja’s arm injury clouds the flyweight timeline.

Overview

  • Petr Yan regained the bantamweight title by unanimous decision over Merab Dvalishvili and said an immediate third fight is not guaranteed, citing his own multi-fight climb back to contention.
  • Dana White praised Yan vs. Dvalishvili as an exceptionally high-level bout and offered no commitment to an instant trilogy.
  • Joshua Van won the flyweight belt after Alexandre Pantoja suffered a fight-ending arm injury just 26 seconds into the co-main event, with reports differing on whether it was the shoulder or elbow.
  • White said he does not expect Pantoja back soon and anticipates Van will make at least one defense first; Van expressed respect for Pantoja and interest in a rematch when he is cleared.
  • Early odds and analysis point to Tatsuro Taira as a probable first challenger for Van, and media speculate that Yan’s next defense could involve Umar Nurmagomedov or, if results align, a higher-profile rematch with Sean O’Malley.