Merab Dvalishvili vs. Petr Yan Set for UFC 323 as Champ Chases Fourth 2025 Defense
Dana White now publicly backs the champion’s rapid return for a record-chasing year.
Overview
- UFC 323 is scheduled for Dec. 6 at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas with Dvalishvili vs. Yan headlining for the bantamweight title.
- A victory would give Dvalishvili an unprecedented fourth UFC title defense in a single calendar year after three successful defenses in 2025.
- The booking marks a quick turnaround following Dvalishvili’s recent win over Cory Sandhagen at UFC 320.
- Dana White said he is “very warm now” to Dvalishvili and praised his mentality in embracing frequent title defenses.
- Dvalishvili owns a prior win over Yan and enters on a 14-fight streak, and the card also includes Alexandre Pantoja vs. Joshua Van for the flyweight title.